



^<J>'^ ^co" *t^ <^ 












'O , i 






V 












o > 



c ° " " 

^. .<c^ .^.^slfe^^ ^^^^^/ y^^. u^^^"^ y^^% \^ 

> 0^ . -i . 






LOUISIANAIS. 

A general vie\v' of the great interior valky of 
North Amen ca may noi be inappropriate as an 
introduction to this work, as that valley is about 
synonymous with our theme, the former Province 
of Louisiana. For that reason the following ad- 
dress, delivered by the writer some time dnce, be- 
fore the Teachers' Institute of Sabine Parish, La, 
may not be considered out of place. 

Tho's Ignotus, 

Sunnyside, Pleasant Hill; La; 
Mar. — 1904. 



y » .L 






LOUISIANAIS III 



The Western Foreland; 

Or, a View of the Vale of Vales and it<: 
Relation to the State of States. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: — It may s^em a lit- 
tle nn usual for me to resort, not to philosophy or 
art, reh'gion or politics, but to the plain science of 
geography for a subject on this occasion. But as 
that subject is the greatest of earthly valleys it 
may not be devoid of interesting features, or un- 
worthy of public discussion. The great Vale of 
Vales to which I will call your attention to-day, 
is not without elements of grandeur and sublimi- 
ty, being greater and mightier than any other val- 
ley of earth, and in these particulars presumably 
second 0UI37 to that one visioned by Milton 
through his sightless eyes, the paridisian valley: 

^ Where the river of Lif^, through fields of 
Heaven, 
Rolls o'er Elysian flowers its amber stream." 

This greatest and sublimes t of vallevs is the 
one in which we live; the one which extends 
through ihe heart of this continent from the 30th 
parallel of latitude to the Artie Circle, a distance 
of 3000 U/iles as the wild goose flicS, and of 6000 
miles as the waters run: while from each of its 



IV LOUISIANAIS 

extremes to its far eastern outlet into the At- 
lantic the distance is equally as great. This val- 
ley of our iheme and our home, although but re- 
c mtly reclaimed from its savage state, is already 
spoken of as ''the Garden of the World'-. In 
minor details and qualities it may be rivalled by 
many. Its climate is not the nicest one imagina- 
ble, but De Tocqueville a greater philosopher 
than any of us, saw, even in its variable clime an 
influence that would prevent the lassitude of the 
tropics, and promote the progress of its people. 
In beauty and floral luxurance it is often ex- 
celled by the real or unreal subjects of the pain- 
ter's art or the poet's song. We would hardly 
dare to say that in these respects it would com- 
pare for instance, with that palm-sheltered one, 
in which Tom Moore located the finale of his im- 
mortal poem, Lalla Rookh, especially as viewed 
by him through the flattering medium of a poetic 
fancy; the vale of Cashmere: 

'With its roses, the loveliest that earth ever 
gave.' 

In these respects it might not compare either 
with the enchanting valley of the Damascene, 
from which, it is said, the prophet withdrew with 
the exclaui ation that it was too lovely for mortal 
man. In this connection I am reminded of an- 
other valley, so called, also lying between hillocks 



LOUISIANAIS V 

of snow, where the lovely Katrina wore her silver 
crucifix; from the sight and thought of which 
the author of Knickerbocker, a pious bachelor, 
like myself, withdrew with a similar exclamation, 
that it was too lovely. 

In startling ^grandeur, our theme may not com- 
pare with the Australian abyss, a mile or so in 
depth, into which the frightened Govett leaped; 
or with the wonderful valley of Yosemite, on our 
western coast, with its shimmering cataracts 
pouring apparently from the skies and its precip- 
itous mountain-walls from half a mile to a mile 
in height. In antiquity it may not compare with 
the Greek's purpureal Tempe nor with the an- 
cient valley of the Nile. 

It may be well, in passing, to pay a deserved 
compliment to that far-famed valley nestled in the 
heart of the plateau of Mexico, known anciently 
as Tenoctilan, and where, it is said, the good omen 
of the American eagle, with a serpent in his 
talons, caused the wandering Aztec tribe to found 
the historic city of the Montezumas. Watered 
by its chain of glittering lakelets, and warded by 
those twin mountain peak<=:, of unpionounceable 
names, the Smoky Giant, and the shrouded 
White Lady; that famous valley, the pride of 
Mexico, is well-entittled to rank as an earthly 
paradise. 



VI LOUISIANAIS 

A similar beauty-spot perhaps, is to be found 
a little further to the south, in the Andean valley 
of Cauca, in the South American republic of 
Columbia, which was made by Geo. Isaacs, the 
setting jf his romantic story of Maria. But these 
picturesqe mountain valleys, with their narrow 
fields, can campare wfth the theme of our dis- 
course only as the lakelet compares with the 
ocean. 

In the combined elemrivts of beaut}^ and gran- 
deur, our subject may be excelled, in the opinion 
of some, by the vale of Oratava, in the Isle of 
Teneriffe, which was given the palm, I believe, 
by the not 2d traveller, Humboldt: that valley of 
surprising beauty and startling magnificence com- 
bined, extending from the sea that laves its low- 
er extremity, by a series of gradations, through 
all temperatures and all flora of earth, from a 
torrid to a frigid clime; flanked on either side by 
mountain-walls and extending upward to the base 
'>f the sublime volcano of Teneriffe. I think how- 
ever, that Humbolt would have admitted, that on 
a comprehensive view, Oratava would have been 
more sublime if its mountain-walls had been 
placed, S3me hundr^-ds of leagues apart, like our 
own; if its romantic fields had been extended suf- 
ficiently to allow them, to maintain, like ours, a 
great propDrtion of the present population of the 



LOUISIANAIS VII 

earth; and if it extended from ?un-land to snow- 
land, not on account of ascending a mountainsic^e, 
but, by over-laping zone after zone of the earth s 
surface; like the valley of our theme; which ex- 
tends from the realm of orange-groves and sugar- 
cane to and beyond the realm of wheat-fields and 
rose-gardens; t*^ and beyond the realm of potatoes 
and barley-corn; and while one of its extremes is 
washed by the tropic gulf, the other is lost amid 
arctic snows and hyper-borean gloom. 

In historic interest, our great vale is excelled 
of course, by almost any noted locality of the old 
world, which has heretofore been the seat of civi- 
lization. From Scotland's Dundees and '^bonnie 
Doons", to the blood-stained Jezreels of Holy 
Land, are many localities of more extended his- 
toric associations. Passing between those limits, 
we would be compelled to acknowledge the supe- 
riority, in this respect, of the "castkd rhine" 
and the ^'storied Guadilquiver". In sunny Italy 
too, wc would perhaps pause in involuntary ad- 
miration. In Val D'Ema or V^al D'Arno, in view 
either of La Certosa, with its towers like dreams 
in stone, or of beautiful Florence, of glorious mem- 
ory, we would seem transported bodily into the 
dreamlands of the past, and would live, as it were, 
in the age of chivalry. Nevertheless, were I to 
turn poet, and undertake the writing of an epic 



VIII LOUISIANAIS 

I would choose as my locale, none of the historic 
valleys of the east, but instead, the great valley 
of the west, thronged as it is, not with shadows of 
the past, but with visions of the future: I would 
stand, as did Henry Clay, on its rocky boundaries, 
would stand upon the Foreland of our theme, and, 
overlooking its expansive plains, would listen like 
that inspired patriot, to the ingress of its coming 
millions: would paint the prospective beauty and 
glory of the Garden of the World, marked as it is 
by all the signs of progress; tilled by unremit- 
ting science and industry; its encircling hill-tops 
aglow with the coming day, and its fields over- 
arched, and filled with reflectrd beauty by the 
glittering bow of peace and promise. 

As already stated, ours is the greatest and most 
productive valley in the world. The hills that 
constitute iis confines and boundary lines are as 
far distant from each other as the midnight from 
the sunrise. The most extensive river systems, 
including that of the Father of Waters himself 
serve to drain its basin, which contains besides a 
mighty chain of inland sea? without a parallel 
upon earth. It is said to be a fact that we have 
here in this region, more than half of all the 
fresh -water on the globe. It is a misnomer^ how- 
ever, to speak of this iumiense region as the 
Mississippi Valley, simply, for that river basin. 



• LOUISIANAIS IX 

constitutes in fact only part of a great three-fold, 
or perhaps I should say, four-fold valley, embra- 
sing the basins of the Great Lakes, and those 
trending northward into Hudson s Bay and the 
Arctic, as well as the Mississippi Valley; w^hich 
properly-speaking, includes only the region lying 
between the Rockies and the Alleghanies. In 
faci all of North America that is outside of the 
great valley may be ranked as the porticoes and 
vestibule s of a temple, of which that great basin 
constitutes the inner court and principal apart- 
ment. Influenced, I presume, by the grandeur 
of this valley of the west; by its well-deserved 
title as th'- Garden of the World; and supposing, 
I presume, that the Creator would naturally have 
selected the richest region of earth for His expe- 
riment at gardening; some wise westerner ha^ 
advanced the idea that cur great west was perhaps 
the quondam paradise, the Eden of our first an- 
cestor '^. 

The fact that ours is geologically the oldest of 
the contingents; that some of the eastern nations 
had traditions relating apparently to America, 
may lend soUiC color to this idea. The t adition 
' »f the lost Atlantis indicates that our country 
was kn( wn to the Egyptians in prehistoric times 
and may have supported one of the first civiliza 
tions. 



X LOUISIANAIS 

Add to these considerations tli^ fact that the com- 
monly accepted location of Eden does not corres- 
pond with the biblical description of that favored 
spot; the fact that there were traditions of the 
Edenic Garden suggestive of our thundering 
Niagara, or of the giant ge3'sers of our national 
park, which, as I will shov/ presently, bears a 
peculiar -^-elatioj. to our great valley; and the 
further fact that Dr. Talmige has recently found, 
in the last-named locality, the veritable throne of 
God Himself; and we have, perhaps, as good a 
claim to paradise as almost any* land. At all 
events, this greatest and greenest of earthly par- 
adises, is one of the sublimest objects in nature, 
with its ocean of verdure a thousand leagues in 
length and breadth; and the fact that it is at other 
times a snow-field of equal extent, may be ex- 
cused in accordance with the philosophy of De 
Tocqueville, on account of the moral benefit of 
climatic changes. 

According to the Bible statemeiit '*'God planted 
a Ga den eastward in Eden.'' If that be so, we 
may still say whether the fact be ( f record or not, 
that He planted a greater garden westward in 
America. We note in passing however that He 
planted the Garden westward in Eden, which is 
the position '»f our Garden of the world with ref- 
erence to its continent. 



LOUlSlANAIvS XI 

*'x\nd a river went out of Eden to water the 
garden, and thence it became divided into four 
heads." The wise man of the west, above re- 
ferred to, who considered the national park the 
Ed?.n (^f our ancestors, may have been influenced 
b}' this peculiar statement. It is a fact that the sev- 
eral river systems v/hic"^^ water our great valle}^, 
all of which however are so interlocked and inter- 
mu^gled as to make them but one in reality, have 
a common source on the dome of our continent, 
anr^, we may Eny, in or about the national park. 
This statement as to their common origin may be 
considered true even of the Great Lake or St. 
Lawrence system, for that system is interlockedi 
witJi Lake Winnipeg and the Saskatchewan river, 
and the last takes its rise along with the Missouri 
in the neighborhood I have mentioned. It is also 
a fact that the waters of that valley are discharged 
in':o the surrounding seas by four great mouths 
or outlets, each of them ranking among the larg- 
est rivers of tlie world. The mighty McKenzie 
drains it into the arctic: a twofold estuary cf 
like prop3rtions, int^ the Hudson Bay; the 
mighty St. Lawrence into the gulf of that name; 
vvhile the majestic Father of Waters drains it in- 
to the Gulf of Mexico. If it is a fact that our 
Garden of the World was really the Garden of 
Paradise, these great streaiiis would have borne 



XII LOUISIANAIS 

and liave dignified the God-given names of Pison, 
Gihon, Euphrates, Hiddekel; and their teeming 
productions would have been worthy of the at- 
tention of the Lord God Himself, while walking 
among them in the cool of the day. But if it 
cannot be shown that our great valley has given 
us a Paradise Lost, its advantages and present 
tendencies indicate that it may enable us to real- 
ize a Paradise Regained, 

T')gain an adequate idea of the grandeur and 
immensity of that vallc}-, let us imagine ou;^- 
selve^ in the Rocky Mountain country, say on 
some of the beetling heights that crown the Pla- 
teau of the Missouri. We would there find our- 
selves on the uppermost step ( f a teriaced table- 
land that extends from the Rocky Mountains 
far out into the great valley about midway its 
length, being opposite the transverse extension 
of it which includes the Great Lakes. The snowy 
a id Shoshone ranges above and behind us, capped 
b}^ the fairylands and obsidian cliffs of the Nation- 
al Park might easily take the form of a rock-walled 
paradise or a seat of grandeur worthy of the 
King of kings; while the tableland of our position, 
with its rounded extremit}^, and its successive 
steps or pLiteaus, liiight as easily be considered 
either the terrace in front of His temple, or the 
dais before His throne. 



LOUIvSIANAIS XIII 

From that elevated position, with the aid of a 
snpposable telescope that would adjust itself so as 
to make up for the convexity of the earth's sur- 
face, we might obtain a serie? of most im- 
pressive views. Thus located and equipped, 
on glancing about, we might find ourselves in a 
more commanding position than that of the poet: 
''By magic casements, looking on the foam 

Of perilous seas in fairylands forlorn." 

We might obtain on one hand a view of the 
most romantic mountain region of earth, with 
its towered and castellated rocks and parti-colored 
cliffs looking down upon the rolling cloudlands 
at their feet; and on the other hand a still more 
wondrous view of the great valley or garden of 
our theme. With the aid of the supposablf- tele- 
scope mentioned, we might command, to the east, 
a view of the chain of inland seas known as the 
Great Lakes, constituting the largest bodies of 
fresh water on the globe. The entire panorama 
of that immense valley of almost a thousand 
leagues in extent, with its wide outlet to the 
ocean beyond: its thundering niagara turning to 
give us a view of its inexpressible grandeur: with 
its foaming seas; its teeming capitals, and its 
boundless fields of commingled corn and grain; 
would burst upon our startled vision. 

Turning to the south-east and south, we would 



XIV LOUISIANAIS 

tliere behold a scene of equal sublimity in the 
southern extension '>f that great vale. In that 
direction we would look down the wide basin of 
the Missouri to the Mexican gulf beyond, over 
almost limitless fields that justify this region's 
title as the Garden of the World^ by their almost 
incalculable product of the world's' breadstuffs 
and a great proportion of its clothing besides, for 
the snow c f the southern cotton-fields would there 
meet our view, and on the limit of the horizon in 
that direction, a hint of the luxuries and sweet- 
nesses of life in ihe glint of orange groves, and 
the sheen of rustling cane-fields. 

Turning to the north-east and north, we would 
witness the continuation of the great valley in 
that direction. 

Would there behold a silent and slumbering 
ocean of green; the level and limitless prairies 
constituting the great lone land of Canada, the 
natural home of the wheat-plant, and which 
while uninviting as yet to the settler on account 
of its remotenes and supposedly severe climate, 
will yet justify its position as a componant part 
of Lhe world s garden, by its fabulous product of 
whsat, the staff of life itself. 

In that direction we would also witness a chain 
of mighty lakes, being in fact a continuation of 
the chain of inland seas we have mentioned, ex- 



XIV LOUISIANAIS 

extending northward 2000 miles to the shores of 
the frozen ocean, the swash of their waves only 
breaking the silence of the solitude, and their 
verdant shores capable of boundless development 
on bein^ opened to settlenirnt by R. R's and con- 
necting water-ways. 

From that position, along the main valley, we 
might view to advantage the teeming produce of 
that region, which even in its natural state, as 
the uncultured prairie, or the unbroken woodland, 
would sweep by us like a mighty stream of ver- 
dure, foam-flecked with flowers; or 'neath the au- 
tumnal sun, would roll at our feet in waves of 
molten gold. The advance of civilization has 
embellished the ;^cene by adding to it myriads of 
happy homes, enlivened it with the shriek of the 
steam-goblin, and annihilated its immense dis- 
tances b}^ telegraphic and telephonic communica- 
tion . 

From that elevated position, which seems to 
have been intended as a post of observation, even 
a God might have enjoyed such a glorious vision 
of beauty in the light of the rising, or of the set- 
ting sun. Prom that position we might realize 
the accuracy of the poet's picture of it. 
"Rich prairies decked with flowers of gold, 

Like sunlit oceans roll afar; 
Broad lakes iis azure heavens behold 



XVI LOUISIANAIS 

Reflecting clear each trembling star. 
And mighty rivers, mountain-born, 

Go sweeping through it, dark and deep. 
xA.nd we might join him in his appropriate con- 
clusion: 

"Still may her flowers untrammelled spring. 
Her harvests wave, her cities rise, 

And 3'et, till Time shall fold his wing, 
Tvemain earth's loveh'est paradise. ' 

Whether the wise man of tlie west be correct in 
his surmises or not, I am disposed to think that 
the great Creator, the JeLovah of Moses, the Jove 
of Phidias, in the midst of angelic and jubilant 
hosts, must have occupied that point of vantage? 
or the cloud capped fairyland beyond, and have 
looked on with .-^atisfactior, wh^n the Missouri, 
the fountain-head of the father of waters, issuing 
from the paradise of the west, and communicating, 
possibly b}^ extinct channels, with the Winnipeg 
system; began to pour its accumulating floods in- 
to the plain beneath, and under the magic of 
Heaven's sunlight, and that immense system of 
waters, the rainbows began to o'er-arch the scene, 
and at their feet the flowers began to gleam and 
the fiuitage to glisten throtighout the Garden of 
the World. 

A recent event shows the continuity and the 
vast extent of that valley. The city of Chicago 



LOUISIANAIS XVII 

by reopening a former river-bed has connected 
the systeniS of the Mississippi and the St. Law- 
rence, and 'ere long even ocean-steamers will 
pass from the Gnlf of Mexico to the far off Gulf 
of St Lawrence, by way of that unequalled 
all-inland water-route; passing on their journey 
into the very heart of this continent, and then 
moving out through its eastern portal to th^ ^ea. 
No doubt similar engineering feats will soon con- 
nect these systems with those trending north- 
ward nito Hudson's Bay and the Arctic: The 
Great Lake and the McKenzie anci Katchewan 
system can be con^ected easily by canals aggre- 
gating about one hundred miles in length; while 
the Mississippi system and its northern counter- 
part are separated from each other by merely a 
short portage in Brown's Valley, Dakota, which 
divides the fountain-heads of the Minnesota River, 
and the Red River ( f the north; which slight ob- 
strtiction can be easily removed. 

The total extent of this vast network of streams 
is almost beyond calctilati-'U. the Mississippi s^'S- 
tem alone aggregating some fifteen thousand 
miles of navigable water-ways, while its northern 
counterpart is of almost equal extent; and the 
third, or Great Lake system, makes up in volume 
what it lacks in linear measure. The agricul- 
tural product of this well-v/atered and greatest of 



XVIII LOUISIANAIS 

gardens, consisting of all the necessaries, and, in 
minor degree, of the luxurie s of life, already 
amount, in value, to thousands of millions of dol- 
lars annually; and its output in the future will 
be increased beyond all computation. The busi- 
ness men of the east have a sa3dng to the effect 
that all prophecies fall short of the truth when 
they attempt to forecast the growth and devel- 
opment of th>: mighty west; by which is meant 
the great interior valley of this continent: and 
it is probable that few of us have realized, even 
yet, tliL vastness and future importance of our 
rapdily unfolding and developing Garden of the 
World. 

Within its bounds are included some twenty 
American states, and about as many British 
provinces, each one of these possessing the nat- 
ural riches and resources of an empire; the agri- 
cultural product of most of tliem already com- 
paring favorably with that of the average King- 
dom of the Old World- 

Thrse coiiimon wealths are increasing rapidly 
in vvvialth and population; and on a moderate cal- 
culation, they could maintain half of the present 
population of the earth. "Population", says De 
Toqueville, "moves westward as if driven by the 
mighty hand of God." To this a recent writer 
adds: "From the mountain-valleys of Asia, com- 



LOUISIANAIS XIX 

monly supposed to be our origin, a ceaseless pil- 
grimage has moved ever on and on. But on tlie 
western coast of this great continent, the time- 
long journey wiil at length be done: here in the 
great west the race will reach its final home. 
Here have been grouped as nowhere else in all 
the world, mountain, and valley and plain, river 
and lake and sea. Here have been stored illimi- 
table wealth in mine and forest, sea and soil, and 
to the^e broad foundations for a sure prosperity, 
has been added a climate adapted to produce the 
highest possible development of the individual 
and of the race. 

Such are the physical features of the world's 
2"reat orarden. I would now call attention to the 
fact that under the hand of Providence it has be- 
come the seat of a national fabnc which is the 
fitting counterpart of its physical grandeur: of 
political institutions as noble and sublime as its 
natural scenery. In furtherance of divine 
purposes no doubt. Providence has peopled this 
great region v/ith the proudest and most progres- 
sive of the human race and has made the great 
Garden of the World the basis c.nd broad fainda- 
tion of the Great Republic of the world and of 
the ages. 

The simultaneous unf( Iding of the greatest of 
c ^/Untries and of nation?, was the work of Fate. 



XX LOUISIANAIS 

The blessings that have attended that nation's 
advent indicate its providential origin. The 
history of the fairyland wc have been discusj^ing 
has been fruitful in prodigies. 

A recent historian of France attributed more 
importance lo the few month? included in the 
French revolution, than he allowed to the seven- 
teen centuries of her preceding history, on the 
g^'ound that the revolutionary period constituted 
the fruition period, when the results of her form- 
er experiences became manifest. The same re- 
mark might be made of the history of the United 
States as compared with the antecedent history of 
the world. Ours has been the world's fruition 
period and our land alone being sufficienily en- 
lightened to profit by experience, our brief 
history is 3^et an epitome of the boundless past. 
It presents the flower and fruition of tlie world's 
experience in all ages. This is especially true 
of the opening chapters of our political history. 
The science ofgoverment, that plant of centuries, 
burst into bloom and disclosed the beauty of its 
hidden heart only when transplanted into Ameri. 
can soil. I imagine that soil and clime had been 
preserved for the purpose of fostering the wonder- 
ful developments we have witnessed there. I 
imagine- 'the Garden of the World was seques- 
tered and kept apart as the only fitting basis 



LOUISIANAIS XXI 

of the state of states, the republic of republics; 
that its gateways were guarded by as many an- 
gels, like those of the apocalyptic New Jerusalem. 
This gem of the natural world, of wealth surpass- 
ing the riches of Aladin's cave, was not to be 
, lightly bestowed on aj.. unworthy object or govern- 
ment. It was not intended that despotism should 
there take root, to flourish amid barbarism and 
gloom, like those of Egypt and the east. 

So, when Eric the Red landed upon our coast, 
doubtless with the blood-stained sword of mur- 
der in his hand, I imagine it was the angel-guar- 
dian of the shore that drove him thence, with the 
exclamation perhaps, that the time appointed for 
its settlement had not yet come; that the race had 
not yet undergone the nece^^sary apprenticeship 
nor acquired the needful wisdom. But in the full- 
ness of time, after mankind had been sufficiently 
schooled in affliction, after long-continued op- 
pression had prepared the sens of Eric for the en- 
joyment of political liberty; after a Tho's Tor- 
qiiemada, with the hell-torch of persecution, had 
2^repared the way for a Tho's Jefferson and the 
God given mandate of religious freedom: I imag- 
ine the same angelic warden received and tender- 
ly watched over the pilgrim fathers, when in their 
flight from persecution, they landed on Plymouth 
Rick; that he extended one hand in welcome to 



XXII IvOUlSIANAIS 

the Catholic Baltimoreans a;nd tlie other in bleps- 
ing over the Hugenot Carolinians: that, in ac- 
cordance with a divine command, he opened to 
these classes of men, and to their successors, and 
to the oppressed of all lands, the barred gateways 
of the long hidden and mysterious Garden of the^ 
World. 

At any rate, the nature of the institutions that 
have been founded there, the only worthy pro- 
ducts we have of the experience of ages, inculca- 
ting equa] rights and the brotherhood of man, 
y/ould justify us in believing that angelic and di- 
vine agencies were instrumental in their adop- 
tion; in believing that iu one American political 
convention at least, the hand of God was mani- 
festedv In that one which was presided over by 
Geo. Washington, and which devised ( ur form of 
g<^verninent; that one, which was the first in- 
stance in the history of the world when the rep- 
resentatives of a people met, and voluntarily se- 
lected their form of government; that one, which 
consulted histor}^, in extenso, and went to primal 
Greece for a prototype of the government best 
suited to our conditions; and then wisely and de- 
liberately founded our confederate republic of 
co-ordinate states. 

Under the supervision of a greater architect than 
liiram of Tyre, or Merlin of the magic wand:. 



LOUISIANAIS XXIII 

with its materials ready prepared from the 
quarry of a world's experience: that greatest of 
political structures rose mor« sublimely than 
Solomon's temple, or Arthur's mystic hall in 
Camelot. The inspired builders then raised a- 
bove i:liat fabric of their love and pride, a ban- 
ner that suggests the beauty of the rainbow 
and the imujUtability of the stars. They be- 
queathed, as it'-<^ appropriate emblem the bird of 
good omen, the royal eagle of Jupiter; that, on 
it's first fiescent from heaven, perched ou the en- 
signs of conquering Rome, the great republic of 
the ancients; that, on its second visit to our 
sphere, graced the war-galleys of Venetia, the 
great republic of the dark ages; and, on its last 
and final visitation, has transferred its allegiance 
to America, the great republic of the moderns; As 
the most precious legacy of all, the builders placed 
upon that temple, as a national motto, a cabalis- 
tic phrase which suggests the solution of the 
problem of democratic government; e pluribus 
iinum; a dearly bought idea, which, with us, is 
embodied in the potent form of the Union, wield- 
ing the sword of an archangel for the protection 
of an otherwise helpless band of sister-states. 

The vale of our theme now constitutes the cen- 
tral court of that edifice, the nave and transept of 
its temple. 



XXIV LOUISIANAIS 

It may be observed, in passing, that the flowers 
of the world's great garden, which decorate that 
inner court and holy of holies, cannot surpass 
in beauty, the divine figures of liberty and her 
attendants, which ornament that superstructure 
as with ' 'flights of angels;" and that its basic 
principles, like the mosaics of Tennyson s Palace 
of Art^ hav2 embodied suggestions caught from 
the cycles of human experience-, and are, as the 
bard expressed ii. 

''So wrought, they will not fa:"^." 

It may be observed besides, that in spite of its 
growth and grandeur; in spite of the vermin that 
occasionally inftst its dark-placts; its trusts, 
monopolies, boodlers and ballot-box stuffers; 
th^s seat of superlative grandeur may still be con- 
sidered the home of freedom, and the hope of 
mankind. 

We are justified in holding such views with 
reference to a land and nation that in the short 
period of a century and a quarter, in accordance 
with the views of the historian we have mentioned, 
has done more for the good of mankind, I might 
ahnost say, than all preceding ages C'»ijibined; 
that within the sphere of its influence, has freed, 
not only man but the mind of man from oppres- 
sion; that has glorified the earth with the splendor 
of its scientific inventions; and beneath whose 



LOUISIANAIS XXV 

influence we may truthfully say: 

"The world's great age begins anew, 
The golden years return". 
The part our great valley will take in perpetu- 
ating this govenvuient has alread}' been indicated 
by its influence in the past. Knitting together 
and consolidating the country, and giving the 
great majority which inhabit its basin, common 
interests and common views, it acts as a bond of 
union, and tends to prevent our dissolution as a 
nation. This was actually the part it played in 
the great civil war. But for ihe stern determina- 
tion of the people of the great valley to keep its 
waterways open, and it's commerce unobstructed, 
the federal union would then hav 3 been destroyed. 
That sublime valley extending thrmghout the 
continent acts as an indissoluble tie that may for- 
ever unite our band of sister-states, and yet con- 
solidate the continent politically. That may be a 
desirable event. According to one of the fathers 
of our country, the broader our domain, the great- 
er our stability. Liberty, in the infancy of intel- 
ligence, was guarded w^'th difliculty, and flourished 
only amid the mountain valleys of Switzerland 
and Greece: but in our land and time^ she thrives 
and expands, till in the form of a Columbia, she 
wields the sword of an archangel and stands in» 
vincible as the guardian-spirit of a hemisphere. 



XXVI LCUISIANAIS 

No doubt Canada will yet be made to realize, 
ma}'^ be by the touch of a mystic wand, that our 
destiny is her destiny, and her fivmily of Provin- 
ces will yet enter as colleagues into the great 
American sisterhood of state;^. This may be ac- 
complished peacefully, and England mor^ than 
compensated for her losp, by the realization of her 
fondest dream; by a re-union of the Anglo-Saxon 
race in an alliance of such magnitude and power 
that it will disarm opposition and establish the 
reign of perpetual peace. 

In the mean time, our great Garden- Valle}^ 
the gem ( f the civilized world; with a possible pop- 
ulation of a thousand million human beings; with 
its teeming fields, fruit-laden and flower-scented, 
will still delight mankind with its pictures of 
peaceful industry inducing abundant prosperity; 
with its civil aud religious liberty inciting uni- 
versal progress and hastening the long-predicted 
period when eternal wisdom shall judge the earth, 
and "the nations shall beat their swords into 
ploughshares, and their spears into pruning- 
hooks:" may even introduce the poet- pictured 
era when upon its smiling plains will rise: 

"Fruits of more than paradise. 

Earth by angels' feet be trod. 
One great garden of her God." 



^ ■ v - . '-4tiT* . ' ■-. L , 



■r^ 




SIEUR DE BIENVILLE. 



#^^*|^^#^ ^^^^^S^J^ 








■o- 



^^LOUISIARAIS.^ 
Or, 

The Last of the Paladins and the 
Valley of the West. • 

A Serial Daydream. 
By Tho's Ignotus. 



o<][>o 



Part I: Le Lion Guardant: 

Or, The Warden at the Gateway. 
Part. II: LeRoy et la Reine: 
Or, The Forest-Knig and the Prairie-Queen. 

Copyright, 1^04, by T\ C Armstrong. 
AH rtghts reserved.' 



fWD Gooses (?W««V(Ml 

jCV 10 1904 
Oooyrfght Entry 




LOUISIANAIS 



iOLAS3 XXo. No. 

COPY B PREFACE. 

The following extract from a letter of the 
learned and venerable Glials Gayarre, the lately 
deceased historian of Louisiana, will show that 
the author of this volume is not alone in becom- 
ing infatuated with the romances enacted in the 
whilom French province of Louisiana. Under 
date of Apr. 27th, 1891, Mr Gayarre writes. 

'The colonial histor}- of Louisiana is very ro- 
mantic. I wrote once to Fenimoie Cooper, invit- 
ing him to select a subject for a novel out of the 
vast mine of rich material to which I called his 
attention. His reply was very courteous and 
friendly indeed, but he declined compl^ang with 
my desire, on the ground that he had long ago 
discovered tha4: Siis writings were more appreci- 
ated by the Bftrbpeans than by his own fellow- 
citizens; and that if he continued to wnte his 
subject would be a foreign one. Undeterred by 
the experiences of the immortal Cooper, the au- 
thor of this volume can only hope that the intrin- 
sic merit of his subject, rather than any peculiar 
ability on his part, will cause it to awaken some 
interest among his patriotic fellow citizens. 

Besides d-^^aliug with romantic characters and 
incidents in cur hi^stor}'^, this serial poem treats 



LOUISIANAIS a 

of subjects of increasing interest from a sociolog- 
ical point of view: in its discussion '>f the com- 
parative merits of our own modes of life and those 
prevalent in a state of arcadian simplicity; in its 
forecast of the future of the great Valley of the 
West, our home, which is kept in view through- 
out the work, and over which our heroes stood as 
guardians and protectors: and, in connection with 
the latter theme, in its presentation of: 

'The vision of the world, and the wonders ytt 
to be.' 

PREFACE TO PART, I. 
An apology may be due the reader for the 
somewhat desultory and disconnected character of 
this part of our poem. It necessarily lacks the 
artistic mould and connected form of the entirely 
original work of fancy: being based, as it is, on 
historical facts in the life of the so-called Lion of 
the South, the worthy pater-patriae of the Louisi- 
anian: the second part being founded on the career 
of the equally worthy, and scarcely less notable 
hero kuown as the fathcx- of the Red River coun- 
try. The writer is of the op'niou that the colo- 
nial history of Loui'^'iana is sufficiently romantic 
to constitute, in itself, an entertaining story, on 
being msr^ly amplified anc furnished with the 
details necessary to its proper and life-like pre- 
sent;, lion. 



3 LOUISIANAIS 

The first book is, as stated, more particularly 
in commemoration of the first governor and so- 
called father of Louisiana. The follov/ing pic- 
ture is given of the hero of this book in the works 
of Charles Gayarre, the best historian of Loui-«t- 
ic.na. 'A man of undoubted integrity, a strict 
observer of his word, punctiilious as a knight-er- 
rant as to his honor and fair fame, devotedly at- 
tached to his country and king: true, heart and 
soul, to his friends; to his kinsmen, and family 
connections: bland and courteous in his manners, 
humane, generous, possessing a highly gifted 
personal appearance, having all the distinction 
inherent to a man of refined and elegant tastes, 
he retained that air of grandeur so peculiar to 
the age of Louis XIV, which had closed when he 
had already reached manhood, being over thirty 
when the grand monarch died. With all these 
qualifications, he might have been set up as a 
faithful representation of the gentleman of the 
time.' The same historian states: 'When he left 
Louisiana he had reached the agt of sixty-five 
years: and he carried with him the regrets, the 
esteem, and the affections of the colonists who 
called him the father of the country. With it as 
an object of his creation, he was naturally iden- 
tified, and he loved it with all the fervor of the 
parental heart.' The position he occupied, and 



LOUISIANAIS 4 

the difficulties he encountered during the first pe- 
riod referred to in this work, are tersely summed 
up by his recent and fair biographer, Miss Grace 
King. Speaking of the period when he first as- 
sumed the reins of authority, she says: 'Fort St 
Louis de la Mobile, the head-quarters of Bienville, 
became the capital of the new French dominion 
and the young man of twenty-two the chief exec- 
utive, virtually the first governor of Louisiana;' 
a position which according to the same writer, has 
never been nottd for ease of administration or 
laurel-leaved emoluments. But while every 
holder of it since Bienville, with the usual nota- 
ble exceptions in the near past, has commended 
himself to the sympathy if not to the admiration 
of the impartial observer, not one of them is more 
deserving the meed of compassion than this tyro- 
official. 

Speaking more generelly of the race to which 
Sieur de Bienville belongs, the same writer freely 
awards them and him, a conspicious member of 
that ord^r, their well-earned meed of praise. Says 
she: 'For bold hardihood, valour, and endurance, 
for dauntless enterprise, persfstani effort, and in- 
extinguishable determination; for the rugged es- 
sentials of primitive virility, these recrudescent ad- 
venturers s loom up in the dawn of American set- 
tlement, with the huge distinction and gigantic 



5 LOUISIANAIS 

proportions of their Homeric ancestors'. An- 
other talented and recent authoress refers to the 
family of our hero as ^those illustrious LeMoynes 
whose deeds may be traced in our day from the 
St Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico.' 

Another eminent writer speaking of the gigan- 
tic character of the French scheme of colonization 
in America, says:' Whatever may be the judg- 
ment of the historian upon the policy or the 
work of France in this bold scheme, there can be 
little difference of opinion as to the qualities dis- 
played by the Frenchmen who were leaders in 
the movement. They were certainly cast in the 
heroic mould.' 'Indeed,' says that author, it 
seems well for those of us wh'> have been nur- 
tured on the English literature of the last three 
centuries, to make now and then some careful 
study of the lives of the French explorers during 
the same period, if only to keep our perceptions 
achromc.tic respecting the French character. 
There are many good people of Anglo-Saxon 
descent who have a vague feeling that a French- 
niin has always been comparatively, a poor crea- 
ture, a fop, a fribble, destitute of true earnestness 
rf character, and quite be^^ond the reach of sav- 
ing grace, whether of the political or theological 
sort. For such an inadequate estimate of a great 
nation thera can be better corrective than a study 



LOUISIANAIS 6 

of tLe story of Louisiana. 

The characters treated in this book ma}^ be 
justly regarded, not only as the avant- couriers 
of civilization in a new world, but perhaps among 
ihe most romantic and genuine specimens of 
knight-errantry and true chivalry known to the 
histor}^ of our race. The Imagination of the 
gifttd bard, in delineating and glorifying the 
knights of Arthur and his Table Round, hardly 
c( nceived of such heroic quests and romantic 
wanderings as the journey of the Iron Hand 
from his post on the upper Illinois in search of 
the remnant of the exp'i^dition of his friend, La 
Salle, aniid the unexplored wilds of Texas: or, 
such as the equally historic journeyings of a St 
Denis from the post of Natchitoches to the far-off 
cit}' of the Montezumas: whether moved by love 
alone, or the combined influence of thr tender 
passion and a passion for trade and adventure. 
The m^'niature court of Bienville, about which 
clustered so much romancce in real life, in which 
sojourned such heroic knights-errant, and over 
wliich presided a kindred spirit in the person of 
that notable first governor, is accordingly as 
worthy of the minstrel's harp and the poet s song 
as that of the mystic Arthur, or that of the semi- 
barbarous Charlemagne. 



LOUISIANAIS 



t 

Book 1st. Le Lion Guardant. 

O^, The Warden at the Gateway. 



Stories of the Father of Louisiana, 



-0- 



The isle is full of noises, 
Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not; 
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments 
Will hur/i .about mii/ue ears: and soi/netimes voices 
That if I then had waked out of long sleep, 
W ill make m,e sleep again: and then in dreaming,. 
The clouds, methought , would open a7id show riches 
(Ready to drop upon m,e; that when I waked, 
I cried to dr'eain again. 



Copyright, 1004, 
'3y T . C. Armstrong 
All rights reserved. 



LOUISIANAIS 






^M^ ^afr ^afe -c.^ ^ ^^ j^ 4^ ^ ^4^4^4fH 
1 iu 1904 I 
^ v.nvrt|ht^,r^^ V I At the Gate of Dreams. 

^ -ASS ^ XXo. No. I 

g^3/r2- I I 



r'Y 8 



==«Jln mystic shadows, fettered fast 
In sleep, the dream-god lay; 
Yet 'mong the winged oneira passed 
O'er realms of endless day. 

So, adream beneath deep-frowning skies, 

Amid fast-fading flowers. 
Yet in the courts of Paradise: 

We pass the happy hours: 

So, in our dream-worlds Aidens bloom. 

And fields el}' si an smile, 
That countervail e'en realms of gloom, 

And all our griefs beguile. 

2 

We turn from the ancient orient, 

From Araby the Blest, 
To view, midway the Occident; 

The Valle> of the West. 

Upon it's fields the sunlight plays. 
Awakes it's philomel, 

~" *^.*' -^"^^ -'^■^j9 —'■^.# ,J5 ^^^. .,,15 -^ ~#« ...n ■^ j^ ...» ^^ jr , J? ^^ J®" ,s f t^ 



LOUISIANAIS < 

And songs divine inspire my lays, 
And beauty nonpareil. 

Hence visioned through the gate of dreams, 

Across that mystic line; 
Full bright it's spring-tide prairie gleams, 

It's grandiflora shine. 

3 
Heroic souls watch o'er thai land, 

As, 'niong the tribes of old, 
Lone watched the mighty Iron-Hand, 

In trying times untold. 

Wakeful the Lion of the South 

Wards still that favored shore. 
Hard by his turbid river's mouth, 

Fierce threatening as of yore. 

Those hero-souls my dreams awake, 

And in their steps I'd stray. 
Till on that valley of shadow break 

The beams of golden day. 



"'ii^^SSL^'' ' •*»- 



'tf'^?#tr?;^'S^"^^t«*$*^#'%!^'%'j^ 



lo LOUISIANAIS 



Chap. 1st. La Val D'Occident; 
Or, The Great Valley, in Light and in Shadow. 



^ich 'pT airits decked with flowers o^ gold, 

Like sunlit oceans roll afar; 
'Broad lakes its azvre heavens behold. 

Reflecting clear each trembling star: 
And mighty rivers mount ain.=b or n , 

Go sweeping through it dark and deep. Anon. 

Two centuries! a space of time but brief 
In Egypt's, or old Israel's chronicles; 
That scarce affects the rocks '-f Zion's Hill, 
Or speeds the fall of Ghizeh's monuments; 
That moves unmarked o'er heaven's dial- plate. 
Whose starry figures and night-gleaming signs 
Note but vast cycles, intervals sublune. 
The brief centurial eras are yet great, 
With earth's ephemeral habitues compared: 
And changes oft they witness 'mong her states. 
And in the aspect of her shifting scenes. 
Here chiefly, in the Valle}' of the West, 
Scene of our song, the Gardeu of the World: 
Of weird effect and magical appears 
The varying hand of change. Coeval with 
The transformation of the semi sphere. 
The inception haply of the promised state. 
Hath been accomplished on our favored shore. 



LOUISIANAIS II 

Vast capitals and peopled states have risen 

Where la}^ two hundred years ago, 

Tht shadows of the primal wilderness, 

And in our Valley of the Occident 

Thick myriads of earth ^s leading tribes are found. 

'Whc-e once the startled wilderness beheld 

A S'lvage conqueror stained in kindred gore, 

A tigress sating with the blood cf lambs 

The unnatural famine of her toothless cubs, 

Sloping and smooth the daisy-spangled lawn 

Offering sweet incense to the sunrise smiles;^ 

And if we find not there the metaphor 

Of primal peace fulfilled, or yet behold 

The infant with the cockatrice at play; 

The lion with the lamb, we find even there, 

A truer symbol of the golden age. 

In science newly born, with mystic wand, 

O'er every form of savage life supreme. 

Beneath that science infantile a? yet^ 

And that dread sceptre of caducean power, 

Our mystic vale dismantled of its gloom 

Glows 'neath the bow of hope, the beams of peace. 

Th^re now well ordered states in peace repose; 

Fair slates, in lengthhiing ranks and series ranged 

Strong Caryatides, sublime the}^ .stand, 

With intertwining arms and hands conjoined, 

And lightly bear the noblest growth of time, 

Tlie temple of our Union, who^e great nave 



12 LOUISIANAIS 

And mighty transept are each based, as twere, 
Upon the matchless valley of our song. 
Would you behold thai valley in our da}^, 
Its life and art, unrivalled heretofore; . • 

Come with us to the noble captital 
That, like our heroes, from St Louis dubbed, 
Stands at the juncture of it's mammoth streams. 
And midway the great realm of Louisiane. 
See th^re, the exposition, in her name 
That with its thousand domes and towers dream- 
like 
Reared, as by magic in a day, presentp 
A wondrous microcosuj, auH therewithal 
In miniature yet huge, fitly portrays 
The bearing of our Garden of the World, 
To the earth at large, that destitute of this. 
The true Hesperian, Field, would seem in truth 
A desert-waste unable tc supply 
Its toiling children with their daily bread. 
Behold its portal's lofty colonnade 
That, in iis2lf, d^UDtes the giant scheme 
Of the exposition ai^d the wondrous realm 
It typifies; and o'er that portal's height, 
In fancy see the form of Lou:*siane, 
More glorious e'en than that colossal shape 
Of gold wherein Athena embodied stood 
Upon the Acropolis, and, like that form. 
Encircled with great structures; domes and towers, 



LOUISIANAIS 13 

Wherein are stored the science of all time, 

The lore of all the ages; yet more grand 

Than any work of art or science there 

Are those insensate forms there conjured up; 

The apparition of Louisiane; 

The vision of the Garden of the World. 

There on one hand, beneath thy feet outspread, 

Behold the plain a thousand leagues in length; 

That robed in cereals green and gold, excels 

TliL poet^^ drram of the Elysian Fields. 

On the other, see its former counterpart; 

The greenwood ocean wide, fairly replaced 

By gardens and by wheat fields infinite: 

And all the mighty valley thickly set 

With glittering towns and countless happy 

homes. 
Threaded by flying trains on tracks of steel. 
And all its homes wide-scattered far and near 
Brought in communion and close touch as' twere, 
By the electric sparky unken'd unseen. 
In tr»th the vale whereon with waking eyes; 
We look this da}^, a fairyland in sooth. 
Appears an epode fit, an antitype, 
Unto the mystic dreamland of otir song; 
And on it gazing, we behold again 
Our vision of the Garden of the World, 
And of its angel-guardian, in fine, 
Of Louisiana gloriously transformed. 



14 LOUIvSIANAIvS 

In clays whereof we sing, the forest-world, 
A dark demesne of distant kings remained. 
Unhindered still Castilla reigned supreme 
O'er those wide plains Muscoso's band explored. 
Those boundless fields stretched toward the set- 
ting sun; 
Whence east aud north appeared Louisiane, 
Its wo'id and plain extending from fair shores 
On tropic waters lying, far away 
To Mauitoban snows. Majestic streams, 
Yet strange and unexplored, unendnig rolled 
In those far wilds. Interminable shades! 
In that green sphere where since the birth of time 
Primeval nature had remained supreme. 
The adventurer's fear depicted monstrous forms. 
Trembling the timorous had approached that vale 
*Mid whose vast woodlands, gigantean streams, 
Rose. Ada mastor, to the wanderer's eye. 
And fear oft viewed such ill-developed forms 
As once upon our favoring soil reposed; 
And mylodon and megatherium. 
Terrific, haunting, monsters of the prims. 
Albeit our wilderness, though phantom-trod, 
Had ne'er the grotesque, hideous sluvp'es disclosed 
Whose terrors filled the Amazonian wold; 
Which like the golden wealth and gorgeosness 
By Garcilllasso's erring pen portrayed, 
Were foreign to our shore; enough remained 



LOUISIANAIS 15 

Of ferine form, of dire ferocity, 
To appal the coward heart. The savage beast 
And reptile, with rude man contending there 
And making hideous the sylvan sphere. 
Such, in its prime, had been the world we sing. 
Through that great vale the stern conquistador 
His phantasies and airy dreams pursued 
And realms of gold, sun-robed, his steps allured. 
Aspiring chivalry then oped the way 
And to Gaul's courier d'aventure next 
Attractive made a pathless hemisphere. 
Whate,er their aim, whether they marked the 

bounds, 
Of trackless lands that yet transformed should 

rise 
To peopled states supporting regal thrones, 
Or Argo-like chased golden clcudlands fair 
As lit the Euxine toward the enchanted shore, 
The wanderers that traced, guide-less, alone, 
The shadowy solitudes of that far realm; 
Although steel-clad, and of heroic mould, 
Performed knight-service worthy of their fame. 
Contrasting darkl}^ with the gentle tribes 
That prostrate hailed the first discoverer. 
Or fair Peruvia's children of the sun, 
With love o'er-swayed by Capac's staff of gold; 
The warring nations of this mighty vale. 
Of all mankind wtre deemed most barbarous. 



i6 LOUISIANAIS 

O^er-riiling these^ and 'mong the heroes thtre 
Likewise supreme, I applaud the Longenil's pride; 
Brave Iberville, of 'merits manifold, 
Him and his famed confreres, as the}^ roved, 
Our bards might sing in fair successive lays, 
Bnt chiefly sdll, his comrades young, vet brave, 
His little brother; aye, his '^petit frere;" 
And liis bold Louis, last of errant knights; 
That like Ithuriel and Zephon 'neath 
A Gabriel's order, warding paradise, 
Watched o'rr the valley of Louisiane. 
To them there came from out that valley's heart. 
Another, justly faimed, the Iron-Hand, 
These then and others of like manly mould. 
Excepting not D'Aubant and Bois-briant, 
And vSome of humbler titles now forgot; 
Were proud co-laborers in that chosen field. 
Together there they formed upon our shore 
A circle high as rode with Charlemagne, 
Or, in Arthur's castle, graced the table round, 
Sons (f that vale, by adoption or by birth, 
They trod it's wastes, from groves sub-tropical. 
To hyperborean snows, and with strong hands, 
Founded in it's dark depth.-^, the state of states: 
From our still brightning day, I'd fain look back 
Upon the distant past; where, 'neath the shades. 
Wandered those paladins, last of their race. 
Aye, with delight and pride I,d contemplate 



LOUISIANAIS 17 

Those heroes, by theh' deeds transfiguring 
The Valley of the West, and at one stroke 
Trjinsforming it to a fitting home of man, 
And to a radiai^t fairy-realm of dreams. 
The tawny rivers, ominous of hue, 
Deep-mumuring through that quondam re^lm of 

shade, 
In sonfx and ctory may not y^t approach 
The yellow Tiber or the castled Rhine, 
Or in beauty vie with Guadilquiver's stream: 
Yet on their shores, ensconced in sylvan shade. 
As erst b}^ Pen-i^ns or Alpheus old. 
Prevailed a golden age; reigned our Jnst Chiefs, 
Those avcTnt-couriers of nobler lift. 
The paladins and heroes of our song. 
About them ever, sylvan suns and braves, 
vStrange foi'est- dwellers, in their dress and mien 
As wildly picturesque as any race 
That ever o^er Helvetia s heights bore sway 
Or trod the heather of the Highland hills. 
E'en now methinks I see, in light canoe 
The fisl.er gliding o'er yon amber stream; 
Or, in quest of stag or bison, and in scenes 
That erst had won the heart of Robin Hood 
The buskined hunter threads the tangled maze. 
The ideal work of happy hunting-grounds 
Was realized, oft-times, beneath those shades. 
But ghastly deeds of blood and death, likewise, 
And orgies rude anc ethnic there appear. 



i8 LOUISIANAIS 

Midway tliat vale beside the Father-Stream, 
The Natchez wanders, urged by destiny: 
Grim Aztec tribe that with perennial fires, 
And, as 'tis said, with blood of innocence, 
Baal-worship renders 'neath the flamen s rule. 
Dread rites! unearthly, as on Shinar's plain. 
When first observed, or in Druidic groves. 
Aye, 'tis not merely a dream of Arcady, 
By a Nou'lle Orleans, roofed with latanier Itavesj 
Or by the sylvan's Natchitoches inspired, 
That thus enthralls my heart, my storial song; 
I'd paint likewise our paladins gore-stained. 
Albeit conspicuous for their troth and faith, 
Their gentleness and love: I'd paint besides, 
'Mong var} ing scene? of darkness and of light. 
The nursling nation by their strength sustained. 
My country, great and free, whose birth sublime 
Awoke the nations from a living death, 
Whose youth unsettles thrours, frees man and 

mind, 
And \y\ih new splendor glorifies the earth; 
Th}^ heaven-sent builders, those that in the waste 
Prepared the way and those esteemed more great. 
Were one and all, such lords of human-kind. 
As walked with God, and spake the will of Fate. 
Thy past should prove the favorite seat of song. 
If there the poets strayed, a Tennyson 
Had found new Merlins and new Broceliindes, 



LOUISIANAIS 19 

And wondering much, I ween, had seen revived 

The errant knights of Arthur's table round. 

A Shelley in wide wildernesses there 

Would rove entranced, or in after-days rejoice 

To find his dream of libert}^ fulfilled. 

The Greekling there might sing of Pan new- born. 

And in due time would Maro's muse awake 

The Epos of a later, loftier Rome. 

Salve Columbia! last hope of our race, 

Tho' pitched in thy quaint age of gold, amid 

The shadows of thine Arcad}", our song. 

With eye prophetic kens the vision bright 

Of that great realm, established by the fates, 

And now beginning its unrivalled reign 

Of glory as the heaven-born state cf states. 







4 



<pifl 



o>^ rv- «>._ Ir*^ r>~. ir»— Ir*^ ^-r^S ^<"6 -'^% ---«~o - -<^ ^co ---<» I 

Jb/ !? A^ Valley of Silence. \^ 

^ . -^ w^//^ dozvu. the Valley of Sileyice, ,]A 

^>v* (Down the dim, voiceless valley alone i 

• And I hear not the sound of a footstep \^ 

Save those of my God and my own. 
And I say to my soiil each- ideal 

That shines like a star on life's wave, 
Is wrecked on the shores of the rea', 
\ And sleefb like a dream in a grave. 

^yan. :^^ 



LOUISIANAIS. 20 

Chap, II. 'Mon Petit Frere'. 
• Or, The Lion of the South. 

Like hiiii that sans remorse or due* contrition, 
Debased the muse and dini'fr.ed his own fair fame, 

By at length adopting that child of perdition, 
Don Juan, I'm in search of some fit name 

Wherewith to grace a purposed composition, 
Possessirig verse, if not the poet's flame: 

For , while I can ride, I'lj. no peripatetic; 
Ncr, when lean avoid it, unpoetic. 

Yes, ike Lord B- , a hero I desire; 

If a D.n ^u n. still one '>f some worth; 
For, be it known, I really aspire 

Ur.to a proper ptory to give birth: 
Tl:ough ere unduly so my soul might tire, 

Might fitter seem for heaven than lov/ly earth, 
Yet '.vliilc her chief mark is her recency, 
M'.; niu^e n.cle have regard for decency. 

As d^tli appear, I've chosen as my locale, 
Lcuisiane, denoting that green waste. 
Of iield and forest a::criginal, 

O'erwdiich, wdth strea.ms in gleaming silver 

Traced , 
The old Malbouchia, great and m3'Stical, 

Her watery network spread, ere man displaced 
T lie primal v oc d or r r \ ui c 's I i nd ] epi e.^ sc c ; 

Well-pleased I'd paint the Valley of the West. 



21 LOUISIAI^AIS 

Og^-giaii, oi dark antiquity, 

The fields and moss-grown groves presented 
there; 
Fenced but by distant mountains, yet to me, 

Well-favored, ns Armida's garden fair. 
The earliest of its wardens, aye, 'tis he, 

I'd sing; in visions wild beyond compare, 
I've roved with him, and 'mong the great I'd place 

His name; but first, his lineage I'd trace. 

As I bethink me, 'twas upon a time 

Far distant, nigh three centuries 
In La Nou'elle France there blosscmec' ui her prime 

A Norman maid of winsome ways, I trow, 
Of beauty fit to grace a poet's rhyme: 

A true Evangeline, our Kate Primot: 
But ere her fourteenth year, fair Kate did join 
Her hand with that of Longuille, of Ls Moyne. 

Wedded, I mean, that youth of spotless name, 
Th^ m m of maiy ton ^'a:S th^ interpreter: 

Of many trades withal, and of much fame. 
Tjjith^r thiis, w^ riisxiib^y i^ih\ 

A pair more promising, or free from blame, 
Did ne'er the sacred marriage-bond incur; 

And ne'er had Ville Marie, their little town. 

Seen marriage of more just and wide renown 



LOUISJANAIS. 

Our bhisliing Katie then straightway did sliow 

Herself a treasure, yes indeed, a trump; 
That witching one whose child-face charmed 

Prin^ot 

In olden Rouen, grown now a matron plum}3, 
Upon her spouse proceeded to bestow 

Twelve^terling sons, each one a youth of gump- 
Tion and of grace, and therewithal to rear 

Thebard athen:e, of anybard'j the peer. 
Yes, from that union hero-forms arose, 

Whose worth.might grace a nobler song than 

mine: 

A gahaxy of greatness whose fame grows 
With young America, for aye will shine 

Those names, Bienville, Iberville: aye, those. 
Let chroniclers with Washington's align, 

The brothers twelve, of titans half a score, 
Thus rose gigantic on our primal shore 

'Mong then; cur Ibervihe, with heart of eold, 
With jaunty chapean, curls depending low: 

A princely youth in courtly garb jf old: 
St:^rn hero still, whenompassed by the foe. 

When o'er the waves the battle's thunder rolled; 
As we recall the war's of long ago. 

We view wiih awe- 'mid tencrs manifold, 

That gallant youth his f;jw.r-f lag upliold 



23 LOUISIANAIS 

Fain would we sing his vessel fair anl till, 
The good ship Pelican, so fitly named, 

Unscatrlied though shrouded by the battle's pall, 
Type of our state, for strength and beauty famec'. 

Aye, Iberville, mosL c ireful friend of all, 
Well might his worthy deeds be loudly acclaimed > 

Who, thoghtful e'er and studious of our gain, 

Broneht to our shore the cotton and the cane. 

With him appeared the hero of our song, 
By him termed lovingl}/ 'Mon petit frere'. 

E'en b\' that nane he assigned the youth ere long, 
To his loii2 post upon our trackless sphere. 

There, in savage state, he rulei and rlghtel wrong. 
Or distant roved 'mong scenes of dread and fear: 

And when his perfect statire was at'ai::ed. 

He vied wiih migicy ch'^fs aai proally reigaed. 

With him appeared likewise another one, 

Tlie second hero of our dual ,tale; 
Who, though he was not Katy Longi.ille's sou^ 

Was yet heroic as Sir Percivale; 
In deeds of worthiness being scarce outdone 

E'en by the knightthat won tlie holy graih 
Him, in his turn,we honor, and with pridr.. 
But here we'd laud the broters true and tried 



3^ LOUISLANAIS 

In that array of strcng" :nid mighty ones^ 

The least might well suffice to grace our strain; 
Yet hnm ; tht twelve, thus rivalling Israel's sons 

In number even, would we select full-fiin 
Tile eightli brave form: thep;itn()t''^ *.<)ve o'er-runs: 

Each sense to grasp the Asher of the train; 
The far-famed father of our commonweal. 

Whose sons to him are thus forever leal. 

'Tis said that tliose Canadians of old 

Were of one name, were John the Baptists all:; 
Such being the ease, we wonder not wlien told 

His closest freres and intimates would call 
Our lieri) Jean Baptiste. We'll then be bjld 

Upon occasions fit, as such befal, 
To exalt that name, to* toast, as '"twere, thy healthy 

Brave Jean, thou father of our commonwealth- 

Of thee,. Bienville, Jean Baptiste L?Moyne, 

Fulh panoplied in corniscatin^r steel, 
The bard with ease might fine-filed phrases coin; 

Tho^igh to the task inadequate I feel. 
Some note tf tliee c'oth patriot love enjoin. 

Peruked and powdered, thouVt the beau-Ideal 
Of knightly state and courtly^ Gallic grace, 

xAnd pleasing quite, each feature of thy face. 



LOUISiANAIS 30 

Ave Pater Patriae! second to none, 

Sive him that hurled the despot from our shore, 

And raised up Freedom; save but Washington; 

The peer of those immortals we ac''ore; 

Of Oglethorpe and Penn; such vvas the one, 

Like th-em tlie sire of states, that came of yore, 

And, heaven-sent, with spotless flag unfurled. 

Drave darkness from the Garden of the World. 

Sliall we neo-ject his p^'aise? because, forsooth, 

Th^at tongue divine, in death yet scarcely 
stilled. 
With Vv'hich, oftener than with the sword, in 
truth, 
He ruled his tribes, may've been in ours un- 
skiird; 
Or pass him by without remorse or ruth 

Becauj^e his freres^ ere scripture was fulfilled, 
Or earth's tribes blent in our community, 
Drubbed Washington with stern impunity, 

When he the Louisianian realm -essayed, 

Alone, and ever, m Braddock's boastful train. 

Such sentiment mote surely be allayed. 

Since LaFayettes and Rochambeaus amain, 

Close-leagued with him, on Freedom's field dis 
pla^-ed 

Superrial zeal. Was their devotion vain? 
And will An.crica, in her advance. 

Disclaim, dispraise the sacred name of France? 



LOUISIANAIS 26 

BienviHe, then, of Louisianiaiis first, 

I'd honor and his rising* state portray: 
A theme as high and wildly fair, as erst 

Allured the bard to Arthur's castle gay 
With cith^ristic song: albeit I durst 

Not, in this vein, a mighty theme essay, 
That worthy of an epic song sublime. 

Doth ill beseem the comic style of rhyme. 

And yet that state, in dignit}- oft-times 

Diminished by it's quaint environment, 
Seemed ludicrous as often as sublime. 

i\t such times, with r»r2cipitous descent, 
From the epos' height, we fall to comic rhyme. 

To show, as 'twere, the hero-form unbent: 
We'd show the Lion, fully aroused, rampant; 

Also, low-lying, as 'tis said, guardant 



o<li>o 



27 LOUISIANAIS 



Chap. III. Les Paladins; 
Or, From Snowland to Sunland. 



/ and my -^ellow?, 
Are jn'.n:sters of fate, the eltTnents 
Of whcin vo^tr s-ivords are ter/tpe? ed , r/iav as well 
\Vo2ind the loud winds, or vu'ith hfr/iccked at stabs. 
Kill the still closing zvate^s; as diininish 
One dozvle 7ipon my "plui/ne. The temfest. 

In all the dream-w »rld of the past, unmatched' 

To fancy^s eye, even at the head and front 

Of memories that wake the poet^s soul, 

As in old times they woke the minstrel's harp; 

Rode forth the steel-clad. paladins, tall plumed. 

Well-armed, on barbed steeds wandenng afar, 

In lofty quest of glory and romance. 

Of these the noblest bore the Norman shield; 

And like the knightly htroes of my song; 

And the great nation for w^hose birth sublime. 

They oped the way, were of the northmen's blood. 

The paladins we sing, last of their race; 

Yet worthy of their name, upon i. frozen shore 

Made their first conquests: ice-bergs, glaciers there 

In hyperborian shadows dim defined, 

Lent nameless horror to the sea and shore. 

Fierce was the strife. St Georg-e's cross unfurled 

o 

In Bay d'Hudson, from Bourbon's battlements, 
Glittering defied the fleur de lis of France. 



LOUISIANAIS 28 

The battle raged and mountain-peaks of ice 
The din reverberated; suddenly, 
A moving- mountain, Vvdth fierce bolts transpierced, 
Down- toppling like an Alpine avalanche, 
In mightier thunder fell. Gigantic waves 
Succeeding, skyward hurled the battling fleets. 
Unnerved, as t'were, with fear unwonted blanched 
The foem.an paused; the appalling ruin sank: 
Then through tlie breach, thus formed, our he. 

roes rushed; 
With courage fiercer still asailed the foe, 
And while the latter, 'neath their missiles fled. 
Waved the white banner o'er a vanquished shore. 
Thence inland far their expedition passed, 
Relieving scattered posts, and over all 
Restoring the ensign and the name of France. 
Plying far lakes and nameless streams, at length. 
They steed midway that mightiest of earthly vales 
That like the inner court of some great shrine 
Unto its structure, coextensive with 
A continent, stretched to the southern sea. 
Midway that vale, where wood and plain conjoined, 
They stood, at length, lords of the wide expanse. 
There roving, rapt, as 'twere, our paladins 
Saw, as I ween, amid th*:; world of shade, 
A reflex of the future, saw, in thought, 
The impending glor\' of the vale of vales; 
y\nd the sure advent of the state of states. 



29 LOUISIANAIS 

Tliere, as 'tis said, tliey met an Indian sage, 
A. man of medicine, who as a friend, 
Approached them and in flattering terms addrest; 
Who assnred them that the valley's tropic coast, 
At the embouchure of the great Father-Stream, 
Was more inviting far, and on that shore 
A colony, so said the shining ones, 
Of the French race, should even then appear. 
To establish there the city of the south. 
Asked thereupon as to the shining ones, 
He affirmed that on the western foreland high, 
Whence issued the Saskatchewan and all 
The four great streams; and whence, with heav- 
en-bright eyes. 
They saw the vale below throughout it's course; 
Tlie shining ones oft lingered: even there. 
On that plateau from the Inyan Karajnorth. 
There, 'mong the clouds, from towers table- like, 
And battlemented walls, heaven-built and high, 
They often, he affirmed, kept" watch and ward; 
And there oft-times in m^^stic halls concealed, 
Jn castellated rocks, from mortal eyes; 
They revelled and the passing hours beguiled. 
Our heroes heard, incredulous somewhat, 
The minister of fate; and yel, ere long, 
They accepted the advice thus rudely given. 
And Jean thereafter, by that speech impelled, 
Made exlporations and it's truth affirmed. 
Our youthful heroes thus their course pursued. 



25 LOUISIANAIS 

They conquered, albeit fruitlessly well-nigh, 

vSomt. trading-posts upon an ice-bound shore; 

Small guerdon offered to the conqueror there. 

The eldest then, the^'r leadet seemingly, 

lit (heiftain, as a serapli, lall and strong; 

His comrades at his side, declared that shore, 

Though as yet unfit to enthrall their energies, 

Of import in the ages yet to be. 

''Behold, ^'said he, "this frowning sea and shore, 

^Tis yet the threshold of a realm divine; 

The limit of the Valley of the West. 

See yon gieat stream that northward flcw^s im- 

mens'?^' 
Midway that vale of vales it's springs arise. 
Thence eastward moves a chain of inland seas; 
Another tovv^ards the orient westward trends; 
The Father of Waters ri.^ing there likevnse. 
Flows southward to a tropic realm remote: 
Between which realm and this outstretched is 

found • 
That viile inimensurable, la Val del Oueste, 
Where in future days will rise the realm of 

realms, 
To lead the nations and in times unktnned, 
Determinate the destiu}^ of man." 
He said, and our adventurers gazing down 
That mystic valle}^, saw across the waste, 
A wondrous realm, dream-visioned, passing fail*. 



LOUiSIANAIS 24 

Aiiotlier then, a fau'-faced boy, in sooth, 

Albeit dubbed Sieur de Bienville, said; 

"Could we and cnr\^ but quell effectually 

Th.e dreaded spectra of savao^e life that noAv, 

Chimera-like, beset that paradise; 

Could we but plant a gentle people there. 

And guard it\s infancy 'gainst savage powders, 

'Twould prove a work more glorious far, I ween, 

Than seeking, Nero-like, to bathe in blood. 

Or reign in splendor wath le Roi Soleil.'' 

''Mcst true!" the first with, anphasis, exclaimed. 

'This va]e tf shadows b;irg unfiuiiful here, 

We'll seek instead it's summery, southc-rn shore 

And this great work essc.y for all men's good." 

His comrades, with avidity, agreed. 

These, younge^" than the first, t)oyish,iu sooth. 

No whit less comely than the chief appeared; 

And all arrayed in uniform snow-white, 

Gold-broidered, and insignia'd, I ween, 

With flowing curls and brighl}- plumed chapeaus; 

Appeired more fit to grace the contre-dariCe, 

Than even to dream of ordering states, much less, 

To affect or change the destinv of nriu. 

Yet even their foes the valor' 'Us yourhs admired; 

Esteem:d them gift(nl with supernal powers, 

And vainlv fronted them on hind or sea. 

Pullv concurring thus, tlie kindred youths. 

For such weve tliev, bv affinitv or blood, 



LOUISIANAIS 32 

Their anchors raised, their spreading sails unfurled 
And toward the tropics, o'er a thousand leagues 
Of ocean-solitudes, they bent their course, 
And sought at length that genial, chosen clime; 
That green, enameled shore, Louisaine. 
But ere they reached their bourne, remote, new- 
found, 
A signal conflict their strange power displayed ; 
And there, in fine, the good ship. Pelican, 
Of salamandrine fame and phoenix-like, 
Unsullied passed the dread ordeal of fire. 
'Tis thus, at least, the historian asserts : 
'On an autumnal day, of beauty such 
As Indian summer brings to America, 
A Gallic craft of forty guns or so. 
Was coasting by New England's shore alone. 
Calmly she moved. *Twas in the last decade 
Of that centurial epoch, marked with blood, 
For Gaul and Briton were again at strife, 
And land-ward oft the waters were aswarm 
With vessels of the old Mistress of the Sea.' 
Thus to a casual eye the scene unfolds. 
In substance thus, the chronicler proceeds : 
'But suddenly three vessels hove in sight. 
Their flight sublime, with canvass wings out- 
spread; 
In size dilating as they approached, 'twas seen 



33 LOUISIANAIS 

Each bore St. George's bloody cross unfurled ; 
And each, of hulk immense, excelled in guns. 
The undaunted object of their found pursuit; 
Which, calmly still, it's easy course pursued. 
Then came the dread event ; the attack, three-fold ; 
With volleying thunders, blinding fire, and death. 
Two hours the conflict raged. At intervals. 
As cleared the rack, the stranger-craft appeared 
As with a charmed existence, bravely borne, 
Still pouring forth continuous broadsides, whilst 
Its dread commander cheered his young co-mates. 
The event was such as we are prone to expect 
When earthly with unearthly powers engage : 
Or vainly strike at such as those, well-termed 
By a mocking Ariel, ministers of fate. 
One giant foe ; amid the storm engulfed, 
With blazing guns and floating banners, sank. 
One yielded ; one disabled, yet escaped. 
As stated, soon they sought Louisiane. 
Arriving there, they explored its solitudes-: 
Entered at length its mammoth stream whereto 
Their chief had pointed from the frozen zone. 
As there they stood, that chief, Sieur d'Iberville, 
Whom duty called away; his comrades urged 
To grasp, Alcides-like, and bravely hold 
Those dragon haunted, those Hesperian Fields. 
The unending richness of those fields portrayed : 



LOUISIANAIS 34 

Portrayed thy matchless vale, O, Louisiane! 
And thy supernal state in times to come. 
'Behold/ said he, 'the field of your knight-service! 
Behold the wondrous Valley of the West ! 
That will yet prove the Garden of the World. 
This is your glorious post, mes comarades : 
I here commit to you the choicest boon 
Of Providence to man ; the field reserved 
For Truth and Liberty. Reflect, I pray. 
Upon the state of Europe, despot-ridden ; 
See in our France that monument of shame 
Supreme, the towered Chauteau de Bastille; 
An eight-horned beast, horrific and hell-born, 
That overawes the prostrate people there. 
In Britain see the hideous Tower, time-stained, 
That held in darkness a Sir Thomas More, 
Whose dazzling genius seemed a torch upheld 
By God's own hand to illuminate mankind. 
Emblems of despotism and its wonted deeds ! 
And over all, borne on the wailing winds, 
Methinks I hear the martyr's cry, and see 
In fancy still, that ban of this dread age, 
The flaming stake reared by intolerance. 
Know ye, my brothers, those dark powers of ill 
Will drive at length a race of heroes forth 
To attain, even here, the haven of their hopes. 
In his intensity he laid aside 



35 LOUISIANAIS 

His plumed chapeau, and while the wanton wind 
Engaged in dalliance with his flowing curls, 
He gazed athwart the valley of his dreams, 
And prophet-like its future state portrayed: 
'Methinks I here behold the wondrous state 
Foreshadowed in the Atlantic mystery; 
Methinks I see here, boundlessly outspread. 
The Hesperian Gardens with their fruit of gold ; 
Methinks I see the Demogorgon rise. 
The dread of kings, Ancient of Days, forsooth. 
That mystic leveller of blood-bought thrones. 
Aye, truly, I foresee the state of states 
That here will rise, heaven-blest and consecrate 
To liberty of person and of mind. 
This is the lost Atlantica. Watch ye. 
By its portals here, and aid the heavenly host. 
To expel its gloom, and ope its gates to man.' 
Then Jean replied: 'We accept the charge with 
joy: 
Albeit we know the service it entails 
Is not so splendid as that given in war, 
Where Fame's loud trumpet sings heroic deeds, 
And soldiers rush to victory or death. 
As well thou know'st, the strife that waits us here 
Is more like that of the Indian brave assailed 
By the fell conger in the woodland's depths. 
We essay, like him, to conquer and control 



LOUISIANAIS 36 

The savage and, to attain that end, must heed 

His every movement, lest he elude the eye, 

And springing unawares, his fangs transfix 

The huntsman's throat and leave him lifeless ; aye. 

Such is the conquest we essay; sublime. 

Even as thou sayest, its final end and aim. 

As any waged by mortals ; hazardous. 

As Daniel's sojourn in the lion's den: 

Yet with God's grace, will we dispel its gloom ; 

And ope its gates, though doubly locked and bar'd. 

To Bienville at length the chief assigned 

The warding of the great stream's embouchure; 

To St. Denis, the far Sabloniere : 

Gave to the one the sea-side's espionage. 

And to the other that of those wide plains 

That sea-like spread about the Aztec clime. 

'Twas thus they assumed their posts; and at those 

posts, 
Would we portray our guardians true and tried; 
Yet wonder not if those brave paladins 
Be found, in furtherance of their chief's command. 
On the utmost limit of the world of shade. 
Those paladins upon our land bestowed 
Its richest staples, which quaint episodes. 
If aptly written, would our tale adorn. 
Ungracious truly mote the muse be held^ 
Did she not sing how on fair Louisiane 



37 LOUISIANAIS 

Their hands bestowed her treasures without price, 
Gold-bearing plants, the cotton and the cane. 
Where now the Southland's busy capital, 
With din unceasing stuns the rustic ear, 
There first our heroes sowed their field of cane. 
The cane there sown unfolded in due time, 
And neath their eyes in long-drawn series rose. 
There, as in emerald-waves the cane-field flowed, 
To their delighted eyes a prospect fair, 
A reflex bright of presaged beauty shone. 
They gazed upon those arpents fenced about 
With the dark cypresses' funeral shades. 
Awe-stricken 'neath the beetling Father-Stream ; 
They gazed upon that picture wood-enchased, 
Yet visioned, 'mid its gloom, a coast of gold, 
A shore of beauty worthy still of praise. 
Among them, unappreciative yet, 
The Bayougonlas' wily chieftain stood. 
Whose palm-thatched lodge, wood-sheltered, oc- 
cupied 
The soil of deepest mould on that fair shore 
Known later as the fabulous coast of gold. 
That chief of name polysyllabic stood ; 
Albeit with dignity, and looked askant 
Upon the field, as thus our chief discoursed, 
Through M. Bienville, as the interpreter: 
''See, my red brother, this fair field of cane: 



LOUIvSIANAIS 3S 

Its bounds will yet extend and, tilled with care, 

*Twill one day swallow up the forest trees. 

Then will these shores, in lieu of wilds, present 

A sea of living green. Thy children then. 

If they my wish fulfill, will bide at ease 

In fairer raiment than the deer-skin robe, 

In white-walled dwellings nobler than thy god's, 

Than Choucouacha's shrine." The buskin'd chief, 

Autobiscania, incredulous, replied: 

"My brother dreams of things beyond belief. 

Never, at least, will red men, forest born. 

Their modes forsake, or such results attain. 

[Thy sons may accomplish these things, but not 

mine. 
Our path is through the forest, 'neath whose shade 
Even Choucouacha, our great god, abides. 
If on this shore a capital arise, ; 

Like those beyond the seas, rock-built, 'tis sa^d, • 
And far excelling Indian villages 
As thy huge ship exceeds our war canoe ; 
Then will the red-skin fly his native scenes, 
And with the roe-buck haunt the woodland still." 
Autobiscania thus, with dignity. 
His knowledge and the red-man's traits displayed. 
Those bodeful dreams were in each regard fulfiU'd. 
Upon that littoral soon the sugar-farm. 
With its idyllic beauty, charmed the scene : 



39 LOUISIANAIS 

In front the clustering cottages, white-walled, 
Were cinctured, haply, by the orange grove ; 
Or oak-embowered deep as fairyland. 
Beyond, the billowy cane-field, widely spread, 
A sea of green, like that of Onan, rolled : 
And in its wealth and beauty lay disclosed 
The worthy object of our heroes' cares, 
The fair result of all their toils and pains. 
Then at the outlet of Sabloniere, 
Where suns less ardent shed a milder beam, 
They sowed the seed of cotton, royal plant. 
That clothes the world throughout its tropic belt. 
And over all the milder temperate zone. 
Its comfort sheds and holds its sovereign sway. 
That boon they gave, and knowledge of its use; 
Whereat the skin-clad Houma, doubting, smiled ; 
And said that the Great Spirit of old had given, 
fn ane^^'er to just prayers, the native maize, 
Gold-tasselled and green-mantled, to supply 
The skin-clad huntsman with his vital need ; 
His daily bread ; and that to strive for more, 
Or change the forest to the treeless field. 
Were 'gainst the mandate of the Master of Life. 
At the cloth-bearing plant, so-called, he smiled ; 
But wiser men, succeeding, from that shrub 
Plucked wealth and comfort in a mystic fleece 
More valued than the Colchian's fabled store. 



LOUISIANAIS 40 

The extended treatment of that plant I leave 

To Abu Zacaria Eben el Awam; 

Or some such grandly named magnifico; 

Who in olden time that fruitful theme pursued ; 

Nor will I here expatiate upon 

The fields thick-broidering now that storied stream ; 

The afforested Sabloniere of our song; 

And every other slumb'rous stream withal, 

From Pedee's shore to Texan Gaudaloupe. 

It more comports with our appointed task 

To look upon them as when wood- enchased, 

They attracted first the love of stately knights. 

Glittering in mail and burnished bourganets, 

Whose feats comprise the burthen of our song; 

But most the love of that young paladin 

Whose deeds we sing and who was ever first 

To explore the wilderness, and there behold 

The primal beauty of its bosky streams, 

Its lakelets fair, and native fields and fells ; 

Whose light biscayan, that preceded even 

The crafts of d'Iberville, our shores explored; 

Whose barge, an avant-courier likewise, 

StemM in advance the new-found Father-Stream; 

And who, of tastes romantic, Stanley-like, 

Far-wandering, our darkest dells surveyed, 

And with delight studied the wildest tribes. 



41 LOUISIANAIS 

Chapter IV. Lk Baton-Rouge. 
Or, A Hunting Scene in the Great Forest. 

'Around his breast a wondrous zone is rolled, 
Where woodland monsters grin in fretted gold. 
There sullen lions sternly seem to roar, 
The bear to growl, to foam the tusky boar ; 
There war and havoc and destruction stood. 
And vengeful murder, red with human blood.' 
Such the dread trophy Homer doth bestow 
On great Alcides for his deeds below. 

Therein we observe the glories of the chase 
Increased the fame of demigod and king; 
So, to our hero, as of humbler race, 
A simpler token of this kind we bring : 
Would tell at least, and with a serious face. 
How he o'ercame the bear. A deed I sing, 
That numbered with the toils of Hercules, 
With them in tenor and in tone agrees. 

By old Malbouchia, 'twixt the adjoining shores 

Of Houmas and of Bayagoulas flowed 

A stream once famed for piscatorial stores; 

Hard by whose mouth the huntsman's offering 

stood; 
Le Baton Rouge; adorned with heads of boars. 
If right I read, and bears, that hideous showed 
A favorite hunting-ground, for such huge game, 
As for huge produce now, of widespread fame. 



LOUISIANAIS 42 

There, lingering 'mong red braves, Jean roamed 

afar, 
'Neath moss-hung forest hoary grown with years ; 
His buskined comrades made no sound to mar 
The bodeful stillness fraught with nameless fears, 
On which anon the creaking branch did jar. 
Still onward moved our chief and his compeers; 
The beari:hey sought, and under thickest shades, 
Dared his retreat in farthest glens and glades. 

The savage beast they found, and 'round his lair. 
Encircling, near and nearer still they drew; 
At last stood round the mightiest tree-trunk there, 
That hollow, huge, and truncate, rose to view, 
'Mid shadowing branches ; one that might compare 
With those old towers that years of blood imbrue. 
There Bruin crouched in dire ferocity. 
Yet of the foe respectful, held his tree. 

At length our hero, pausing full before 
The cavernous opening, waited Bruin there. 
Meantime a native scaled the fastness hoar 
And seething firebrands dropped into the lair ; 
Whereon the monster howling passed the door 
And bade Jean quake and for the worst prepare. 
Both, possibly, did he ; yet if he feared. 
No outward show or sign of such appeared. 



43 LOUISIANAIS 

And, in good sooth, the boy had faced the flare 
Of British broadsides and unfalteringly 
Maintained his post amid the battle's glare; 
Had been, in fact, advanced for gallantry; 
For most prudential reasons, not from fear ; 
His subsequent retreat from treachery, 
Through cane-brakes dense and darkness tangible, 
At wondrous speed; a score of miles per hour. 

So, we conclude 'twas with stern hardihood. 
And not with any craven sense or thought; 
Our hero faced the monarch of the wood. 
His musket, of flint lock, availed him nought ; 
Its single charge the woolly coat withstood. 
And fired the beast to fury, as I wot ; 
Then, fearful sight ! the pair stood front to front, 
And with light blade Jean bore the battle's brunt. 

Of fangs and talons a most dread array 
Our chief there saw, and at the closest range; 
Yet with an art whereof he seemed au fait, 
He warded them, or with a sudden change 
Of pose or posture, well sustained the fray 
Against a foeman forest-born and strange. 
At length the monster headlong plunged and fell 
And roaring, woke the echoes of the dell. 



LOUISIANAIS 44 

Chaptkr IV. Le Baton-Rouge:: Part II. 
Or, The Meeting with the Daughter of the Sun. 

// that the zvorld and love were young, 
And truth on every shepherd's tongue; 
These pretty pleasures might me move - 
To live with thee and be thy love. 

— Nymph to Shepherd. 

Again I assume the bodeful Rod of Red, 

And wave it as a quaint augurial wand ; ♦ 

And passing scenes of blood, revive instead 

Idyllic dreams and visions fair and fond ; 

The dance of sylvans by the waters led, 

And hearts made gentle 'neath Love's mystic 1)on(l. 

But, as a prelude fit, I'd first unfold 

A cherished memory of the age of gold. 

Not even the Grecian artist e'er portrayed 
A lovelier form than Arethusa fair. 
Bathing in Alpheus where its waters strayed 
'Neath shades of Arcady, and loitered there. 
Had I such art I'd paint anew that maid. 
As with a smile, white-robed, divinely fair, 
She approached the summer-stream; her sandal- 
shoe 
Deftly she loosed and on the green-bough threw 



45 LOUISIANAIS 

The clinging drapery that but half concealed, 
In classic style, and half disclosed her charms. 
Then in the limpid waters stood revealed 
The beauteous nymph ; yet full of fond alarms, 
Back-shrinking as the river-god appealed 
Unto her there, and when with open arms, 
He arose to view, unclad through sun and shade. 
She fled amain his ill-timed suit to evade. 

'Twas where a slumb'rous Southern bayou strayed 
'Mid scenes Arcadian, reclined one day 
A crew of such fair nymphs embowered in shade. 
About that scene, as native legends say, 
Oft roved Louisiane, a royal maid; 
French named, it seems ; and suited to our lay. 
'Twas when the adventurers first that scene ap- 
proached. 
And on its narrow corn-fields first encroached. 

Needless to say who these adventurers were; 
For, did not history elucidate the case, 
The reader, like the bard, is well aware 
Our hero, Jean, as usual, held first place 
In the expedition, whilst beside him there 
Was seen a taller form, of equal grace, 
Who, to the swollen waters reconciled. 
Began, like him, to love the ancient wild. 



LOUISIANAIS 46 

The native princess, with her sylvan train 

Of fair ones, or bronze-hued ones, if you please, 

There sang until the woodlands rang again ; 

Or wove the choral dance beneath the trees ; 

Or 'neath the brightening sun, the streamlet sought. 

And sported like unkirtled naiades ; 

Then, on the mossy bank at ease reclined. 

In wondrous coiffures their dank locks confined. 

We often criticise the nude in art. 

And often 'tis but proper to do so; 

And with more cause must critics hurl the dart 

Against the nude in nature. As I trow, 

Not for light cause should we in aught depart 

From ancient custom ; yet, as you may know, 

With bard or artist, forms of winsome grace 

Are sacred held and seldom out of place. 

But, jokes aside, and modern modes withal, 
Considering 'twas the fashion of their time, 
.Their state was not unseemly after all; 
And certain 'tis nor pen nor poet's rhyme 
E'er showed more artless beauty since the fall. 
When earth donned clothing, save in torrid clime. 
The flowers that bloomed about them were less fair 
Than those wild Arethusas loitering there. 

There played the sylvans still, a joyous crew, 
And to Jean's wondering vision did appear 
The train of Diane, undisguised and true, 



47 LOUISIANAIS 

With their bright presence honoring still the sphere. 

A breath of wind invidious withdrew 

The screen of boughs, and fluttering as with fear, 

The vision fleeted ; yet their fond alarm 

Did Jean, with magic, native words, unarm. 

One nymph remained. In lieu of robe, 'tis said. 
That one in haste assumed a serious air. 
And calmly, although scantily arrayed, 
Welcomed the white chief with nonchalance rare. 
He, by her hand, his earnest devoirs paid. 
And tokens sent unto the sovran fair. 
Soon in due form appeared a new Diane, 
As with her train came forth Louisiane. 

With beaded buskin and with footstep light 

She advanced, dream-like, from out the forest's 

gloom, 
And looked and moved a vision of delight. 
Still in her hand she bore a branch, a bloom, ' 
In native woodlands plucked; broad-leaved, milk- 
white, 
The blossom bio wed and breathed a rich perfume. 
A mantle round her shoulder, brown and bare, 
Was deftly draped and drawn with modest care. 

No wild rose did her loveliness outvie ; 

Tho' in soft legging dight, tho' forest reared, 

Tho' in broidered robe abbreviate well-nigh 



LOUISIANAIS 48 

Unto her naked knee ; I weet she appeared 

Much Hke fair Love unto Aeneas' eye, 

In Maro's song subhme; albeit she cheered 

The eye with beauty and did well beseem 

The woodland bower, this oread of our dream. 

A wreath about her braided locks entwined, 
Unstudied, bore the semblance of a crown; 
And truly noble, with a blush refined, 
She approached the chief with modest eyes cast 

■down. 
A hush of wonder and surprise combined. 
At her approach, stilled even the rustic clown. 
Our chief, with all his art and courtly grace. 
Received her, much impressed with her fair face. 

Child of the Sun, the natives held, 'tis said, 
Her face approved her descent from the day ; 
Her royal mind showed mystic power inbred; 
Were such the truth, deponent doth not say; 
Yet she approached with charms empanoplied. 
And saying this, I assert it in good fay. 
Although our knight had many a beauty seen,' 
To her he bowed as to a fairy queen. 

Then in the native language they conversed, 
For Jean held all their tongues at his command; 
She showed him then the bower and spring that erst 
Were their retreat, from suns of summer land. 



49 LOUISIANAIS 

And all they did is more than poet durst 
Attempt to tell or raise with magic wand. 
Let it suffice that, full of legends, she 
Became at length his Schazerazerde : 

Or, rather, the Egeria of his state ; 

And often, like the famed Ausonian king, 

He sought her when the hour was growing late, 

And lingered long in mystic dallying. 

'Tis not implied in what I here narrate 

That he did any base, unseemly thing ; 

This did not he, we assume, as no such part 

Comports with such a leal and loyal heart. 

Such was the opening of an episode 

That influenced oft our hero's after life; 

The reason he against the accustomed mode 

Rebelled, nor openly espoused a wifej 

Still joyless haunting a forlorn abode, 

When from the wilds restrained or savage strife; 

A forest love his tameless heart enthralled, 

And this the accustomed happiness forestalled. 

But not for them the earth's supremest joy; 
If true, as claimed, her lineage of the sun. 
Or aught divine, with that heaven-favored boy 
It had been bliss to view his work begun, 
Or if poetic nymph or naiad coy 



LOUISIANAIS SO 

That thus his love returned, 'twas fitly done ; 

For their new world and their fond hearts were 

young, 
Nor in love, mayhap, had known a trothless tongue. 




51 LOUISIANAIS 

Chapter V. 

Lk Man dk Fkr; 

Or, A Home in the Far Valley. 

Where seldom man had trod the fallen leaf 

He hent his course, -where tiuilight reigned sublime, 

O'er forests silent since the birth of Time. 

— Anon. 

The genius high that made the wilderness 
The setting of his leather stocking tales, 
Even while his magic pencil limned the scene. 
Beheld with awe 'that wild expanse of woods,' 
The billowy forest far outstretched between 
The Father of Rivers and the Atlantic shore. 
In that Vast picture' of weird solitudes. 
As truthfully that gifted one affirmed. 
The nook he embellished sank to nothingness. 
He moved, as 'twere^ upon our dreamland's verge, 
Nor saw the secret of its hidden heart ; 
Nor kenned, I ween, the hero-forms, heaven sent. 
That wake our song, and in their lives sublime 
Fulfilled the high ideals of his dreams. 
Unvarnished truth o'er-goes vain fiction still. 
And loftier than the child of his romance, 
The unlettered rustic of the lengthened brand. 
Rises the Leather Stocking of plain truth. 



LOUISIANAIS 52 

And of our pride, Tonti, the Iron Hand. 

Another time, adventurous grown, as 'twere, 

Our noveHst portrayed the plain beyond. 

That westward filled the vale of Louisiane 

And boundless quite stretched toward the gates of 

day. 
A fitting counterpart of the eastern groves. 
Albeit so. vast they dwarfed the woods well-nigh. 
In the eastern forest wide an errant Puck, 
That with the morning's love had fain made sport. 
Or gazed on Neptune and his salt-green streams ; 
'And to that end had sought its eastern gate. 
Treading its endless vistas; had required 
Or boots of Wade, or Borak of Mahound. 
Beyond the forest lay that counterpart. 
The mighty plain; an ocean green and calm, 
With bays indented, stretched unnumbered leagues 
Athwart the valley to its utmost verge. 
That mystic valley with its continent. 
In length and breadth compared ; each way immense. 
Athwart its center, 'twixt the nearest seas. 
Its smallest measure was a thousand leagues. 
" 'Twas in that valley's heart; the moon of leaves 
Upon the bold rock of St. Louis smiled. 
And filled with flowers the Illinois' land; 
About that fortressed steep quaint towns arose; 
Piankishaws, and Weas, and Shawanese, 



53 LOUISIANAIS 

With the Ilhnois, beneath its shadow dwelt. 

High over all, with native battlements 

Wood-crowned, sublime, that castled crag arose ; 

And on its crest, embowered in sighing pines. 

An eagle's nest, in sooth, the fortress stood ; 

The river gleamed below, and on the height, 

Stood one whose life, as his abode sublime. 

Arose, and in its naked grandeur, shamed 

The fictive legends of the knights of old. 

Enraptured dreamer never yet had placed 

His Compeador or his Percivale 

In seat quite so romantic ; while the muse, 

In singing of Rinaldo's distant haunt. 

But faintly typed that which, in simple truth, 

Here rose midway the Atlantic realm remote 

And loomed amid a New World's spectral shades. 

There stood the Iron Hand, of stalwart frame. 

Even when his garb the huntsman had beseemed 

Rather than errant knight ; even when he roved 

In leathern jerkin and in legging laced. 

In makasin ornate, and furry cap. 

His bearing as true knightliness displayed. 

As when, at times, on gala-days, agleam 

In spotless regimentals laced with gold; 

Or when in savage wars he sallied forth 

Clad cap-a-pie in garb of burnished steel. 

Upon the rock the cannon thundering spake. 



LOUISIANAIS 54 

A loud-voiced welcome it thus gave, 

As thither came, against the stream impelled, 

A native barge, eight-oared, and manned besides, 

With two lithe forms, that clad in glittering mail. 

And gaily plumed, brought with them as I ween, 

A vision of romance and chivalry. 

The eagle eye of him that held the rock 

Perceiving friends, his thunders waked and rolled. 

Those friends approached, as agile as robust. 

And up the steep with startling ease arose. 

Ere long o'er easy steps they approached the chief. 

He knew them by just fame, and hailed them there, 

As comrades true, each with a warm embrace. 

The Louisianians, such their name deserved. 

Thus welcomed, passed within the fortress gate. 

We, too, tiose bold, though fair-faced youths recall : 

Them late we observed 'mid hyperborean snows. 

Again upon the tropics flowery verge. 

And now, between those wide extremes ensconsed. 

Yet ever in the valley of our song. 

Need we narrate who those adventurers were? 

Or name the heroes of our dual tale? 

That like Ithuriel and Zephon sent 

To ward the matchless garden, sallied forth 

And shapes of gloom and forms of ill dispelled ; 

But first beneath the valued tutelage 

Of Tonti lay. Within the fort they passed. 



55 LOUISIANAIS 

And as they crossed the greensward of its court. 
One smiled upon them that herself had been 
The worthy subject of a poet's song, 
Whose art had been enriched, dowered with her 

store 
Of piquant beauty and of raven curls. 
'Twas Barbe Cavalier, so called of old ; 
Madam de Tonti, then. We then must wTite 
Him of the Iron Hand, the gentle heart; 
And tracing thus the Leather Stocking home, 
Find his lone rock transformed, as 'twere, beneath 
The light of love, the glory of romance. 
Full joyfully the lady hailed them there, 
And Jean and Louis called them as of old ; 
For in her youth beside the St. Laurent 
She knew them and their worthy families. 
The eagle's nest was strongly fortified : 
An arpent in extent, 'twas fenced about. 
With earth- w^orks on the land side ; o'er the stream. 
Crowning the beetling rox:k, were palisades 
Connecting block houses and dwellings there ; 
While sundry cannon in their bastioned niches. 
And floating high the bannered fleur de lis, 
O'er-looked the encircling landscape far and wide. 
There then appeared a smiling miniature 
Of our great valley with its woods and plains. 



LOUISIANAIS • 56 

Assembled there, M. Tonti in happy mood, 

And his fair lady pointed out the tribes 

In bark-built towns and corn-fields far below. 

Delighted all surveyed a wondrous scene 

Of waving woodlands and of flowing fields. 

The youths transported quite their joy expressed: 

With interest deep they observed the pioneer. 

The courier d'aventure, Man de Fer; 

With wonder heard his tales of forest-life, 

Of journeyings in the Valley of the West; 

In realms of shadow and in realms of sun, 

In woods and plains that he had roved and loved 

A century ere the English crossed it's bound";. 

And decades ere the skin-clad huntsman even, 

Traversed the Aspalachian heights unawed 

And heedless plunged into the vale beyond. 

The Iron-Hand, even then, while yet that vale 

In savage wildness knew nor settlement. 

Nor military post except his own; 

Spake of it's heart as his preferred abode. 

Said he: Since with the Chevalier La Salle, 

I, ai> his fond Achates, dared these wilds, 

A score of years have passed. Aye, since that time, 

I've lingered in this vale, alone well-nigh. 

Companioned often-times by s ivage beasts, 

And yet more savage men. Albeit alone, 

I upheld the spotless banner of our pride, 

And for our France claimed the wide wilderness. 



5:- ■ LOUISIAxNAIS 

Yet, a lorn sentry 'mid the boundless wild, 
And seemingly forgot, I at length became, 
Oblivious of the careless world beyond, 
And grew to love the wilderness alone. 
Beheld with pleasure it's majestic stream, 
It's Father of Waters, and it's inland seas: 
With pleasure heard Niagara's thunders roll; 
And with like pleasure looked upon the expanse 
Of billowy forest and of bDundless plain , 
That mark it'5 landscapes till iit length I've 

grown ; 
Nor French, I ween, nor Neapolitan; 
But deeply ingrained and truly American. 
My natal country boasts of scenes sublhne, 
Audit's Vesuvius vomits floods of fire; 
But here are glories and sublimities 
More strongly appealing to the patriot's pride. 
Here nature's grandeur is intensified 
By it's adaptation to the wmts of man; 
By association with the tribes it yielc s; 
The wondrous powers it's fields will yet supply. 
Being greater, grander far than Shinar's plain, 
What art or pen will pamt it's Babylon?' 

'Hovve'er,' said Jean, Europa's narrow fields 
In glor}^ excel the Babylonian's pride: 
The hosts that haunt the plain of Marathon, 
And re-enact the viclorv of the fier. 



LOUISIANAIS 58 

It's narrow fields transmute and magnify 
And make it's unpretending tumulus 
More sflorious that tht heights of Himilay'. 
'Most true,' quoth Man de Fer, 'albeit the fact 
That thou, youthful American, free-born, 
Dost magnify the name of Libert}^ 
And thus reverest the victory of the free, 
Doth indie ate that here the spirit rtigns 
That glorified the Greek and made his clime 
Illustrious in the annals of all time. 
That spirit from these woodlands is inhaled 
As from the heights of Hellas in old days, 
And each American, ev^n as thyself, 
That fact evinces and that love displays: 
And from that fact 1 infer with confidence 
That freedom here will in the end prevail; 
That fvee-born states will on this shore arise, 
And make the American's a favored race. 
And his great realm a fair conpendium 
Of state-craft and the glor^ of all time. 
The Angel of libert}' as thus foreshown. 
As by a stroke of his enchanted wand. 
Will make of this the Garden of the World. 
Beneath his influence men will here observe 
The waste reclaimed, Prometheus unbound, 
And once again behold the wondrous deeds 
Of the unfettered Titan -f the Mind. 



59 . LOUISIANAIS 

Yon free- born colonies, English in name, 

Virginia, Carolina, Maryland; 

Well-named forsooth, and that fair sister train 

That here revives the sister states of Greece, 

Foreshadow even the form of that high realm, 

And body forth a great Confederacy, 

Such as in Greece, b}^ emulation strong. 

In spite of strife, outstripped the world of old. 

Of this IVe dreamt and, prithee now observe^ 

That power, by this great valley unified, 

Even as this mighty continent itself. 

Is by it^s watery network close-allied. 

Inseparably conjoined, that future state 

Will lead the nations in a march sublime. 

This is the Atlantica, whereof the seers. 

Whereof a Plato and a Bacon dreariied\ 

Thus s^pake the Iron Hand: with whom agreed, 

And that with emphasis, his young compeers. 

Our youthful heroes, though of noble rank, 

Thus favored human rights and prototyped 

Another of their race, of all beloved. 

Immortal as the friend of liberty. 

The patriot- patrician, Lafayette, 

While thus they spake a score of native maids 

Clad wildly as the nymphs of Dian came; 

And bearing baskets filled with fruits and flowers, 

Supplied the hotiseholc with choice Itixuries. 



LOUISIANAIS 60 

With them the whn- chief's wariors, huntsmen 

all, 
Came laden with the product of the chase; 
Replenishing his conimissarial store 
With fish and fowl and savory venison. 
'Twas thus the tribes their 1- >ving friendsliip proved 
And paid just tribute lo our paladin, 
Their strong protector 'gainst the I roquo^s; 
Even as the kings, in need or such, bestowed 
Their choicest gifts upon the knights of old. 
Still on the rock our heroes sat absorbed, 
And gazed enraptured on a sea of green, 
A verdant wold immense, unlimited, 
That round them spread and, far as eye could see, 
O'er-hipped the circle bounding earth and heaven. 
They sat, as 'twere, in contemplation rapt. 
Hapl}/ their eyes had caught from out the expanse 
Prophetic visions of the realm of realms 
Predestined there, and dreams of days to come. 
Then looking o'er the vale of Louisiane, 
With dignity our Man de Fer exclaimed: 
'At sundry times from Reggio's coast I've viewed 
The weird Fata Morgana; over-sea, 
From Francia's shore, a spectral Corsica; 
But even here more wondrous visions still. 
Supernal visions I've encountered here. 
Yet sans help from le diable boiteau, 
Le chase galerie or le loup garou. 



6i LOUISIANAIS 

A strange experience he told: 'One nighty 
Said he, *among the western tribes afar, 
Hard by the centre of this mystic realm 
I dreamt beside the murmuring Father-Stream. 
Strange portents woke me at the midnight hour 
R etiring I reclined jn bear-skin couch, 
In bark-built cabin, bnt arising found. 
The scene had changed, and wondrously trans- 
formed, 
The w^hilom lodge a statel}' palace gleamed. 
Emerging thence my dazed sense beheld 
A scene more wondrous than the existing world 
With all it's wealth e'er saw. Even on that shore 
A towered city rose outrivaling far 
The Paris of our pride, or ancient Rome, 
When at the acme of her sacred reign. 
Ye start, but I assert 'twas even so. 
Bright glowed the scene, whate'er the art that 

raised. 
Tvvas night, yet from a thousadd sources sprujvg 
A dazzling bnghtness rivaling the day, 
And on that shore moved throngs innumerable 
Mid structures like the fabrics of a dream. 
I moved among them and though much amazed 
I learnedjthe apparent cause of all those things 
Was Liberty and Science cloth '"d in light. 
And gladening earth with the Promethean flame. 
Continuing then in nniniscent mood. 



LOUISIANAIS 62 

He told of wanderings romantic all 

As ever dreaming poetaster raised, 

Or wild romance, with wonder working wand; 

Told of his journeyings from his eyrie there 

Through pathless forests to the Texan plain, 

To learn the forumes of his friend, La Salle; 

And his return thence when he trod alone 

The wiluwood's vistas for a thousand miles; 

Heroic spirit! on thy lonely course, 

The wild wolves howled and round thy camp-fires 

gleam, 
Shone haunting eyes and savage monsters stalked, 
More real than the dragons winged with fire 
That tried, as poets say, the knigts of old. 
Then to their cot returned, while skillfully 
His lady played the throbbing harpsichord, 
He of the iron-hand, the tender-heart, 
Sang feelingly of love and Italy; 
Of which famed song, a travesty retuains: 

Song: Love in Italy. 
They halted at the terrace-wall, 

Below the towered ;city lay. 
The valley in the moonlight's thrall 

Lay d owsing in a sw^oon of may. 
As hand to hand breathed one soft word 

Beneath the sheltering ilex tree. 
They knew not of the flame that stirred. 

What part was love, what Italy. 



63 LOUlSiANAIvS 

. They knew what makes the days more bright 

Where Beatrice and Juliet are: 
A sweete r perf un^ e in the night, 

A brighter star-light in the star. 
And more, that glowing honr did prove^ 

Beneath the sheltering ilex tree, 
That Italy transfigures love. 
As love transfigures Ital3^ 

His lady then retired, andiron Hand 

Detailed at length the tender affaire-du-coeur. 

Which more than aught besides endeared to him 

The far St Louis of the Illinois 

What though the great explorer of the wold, 

By woes embittered, termed a neighboring post 

Hold of the broken heart; unto an eye 

Accustomed to the wilds and savage life 

It's lonely rock became a blest retreat, 

With light transfigured 'ne^ith the smile of love. 

In niedias res beginning, in few words. 

Our hero pictured 'mid the wilderness, 

A rusticcampwhrrein reclined his love, 

Badoura-like beneath the wayside grove; 

And, as her watchful sentinel, himself, 

A proud though skin-clad Camaralzamau; 

A nd fairer than the Kingdom of the East, 

Than far Cipango or sunlit Cathay, 

The Hesperian Vale there opening to his view, 



LOUISIANAIS 64 

And which then hailed him an its chief supreme, 

'Twas when at the command of Sieur Le Salle, 

(Her Kinsman great), he bore her to his hold 

A convent-gratnate and his fiancee, 

In simple cap and garnm^nts num-like plain. 

Her piquant beaut}' and her lissome grace. 

Approved the truthful apothegm, and showed 

"Beaut}^ when unadorned, adorned the most,'' 

That night while faithful to his watch and ward, 

And thereb}^ escaping an insidious foe. 

He indulged in dreams of blissful days to come*. 

Which ev^iu the Iroquois could .scarce di-^ipel. 

He quelled their braves rejoicing since at once, 

He saved her and his ardent suit assured. 

That night, blissful, although the war-whoop 

rang, 
Her full assent he gained to her uncle's choice. 

But twice before had he that mademoiselle 
Encountered, but each time so circumstanced 
That their fond hearts were mutually enthralled 
And glowing 'spake in moments more than 

years;' 
Attracted by iheir mutual fellowship 
With Sienr La Sa'le, each fondly loved the friend 
Of that dear comrade then forlorn and lost. 
His eye failed not th^ir mutual love to observe. 
And thoughtful of their happiness, his word 
Consigning her to his protecting care, 



65 . LOUISIANAIS 

Their bliss secured even at the doleful hour 
When murder with red hand his conquest checked 
And slew him by the distant Trinity. 
Which sad event to them as yet unknown, 
The ensuing morn, supreme in loveliness. 
Was eke ihrice lovely to their rapturecl gaze, 
And each delighted saw new beauties there 
And that new world a'l orb of love approved; 
As rose the sun their line of batteaux bravc 
Moved down the forest river to their goal, 

October, in the valley of the West, 

October of mild nights and mellow days. 

Of gold-green woods, and 'hc.ppy autumn fields;^ 

Such was the time, so Man de Per affirmed. 

Such was the bright occasion unforgot, 

When he thus led his willnig Barbe home. 

To her it seemed a fair enchanted land; 

Gladly she watched it's populous beauty unfold 

While lodge-smoke every-where arose, and he, 

Her loving escort, pointed out the towns; 

The Illinois northwest of the Rock, 

A city of lodges high with oval crests; 

Sh'»wed wliLre Piankishaws and Weas sojourned, 

And where, back of the Rock, the Shawaneece; 

And told hov/ many thousands there abode 

In his well-favored principality. 

The Indian women b}^ the river-side 

Forsook their labors in the plats of maize 



LOUISIANAIS 66 

To greet, the white chief, or perchance to hail 
In his triumphal crew some warrior brave 
Returning with him sea th less from the field. 
Each inmate came from the French settlement 
Lying opposite and round the guardian Rock, 
To greet them: while o'erhead the cannon boomed; 
They ascended the tall cliff mid trailing ferns 
And beetling rocks w^'th difficulty at first, 
And then o'er wide and water-terraced steps; 
Like those of some high temple, reached the crest. 
There sans delay, they exchanged their marriage 

vows, 
The occasion of much joy: unduly hastened 
By th? Abbe Cavalier her guardian then, 
And who would fain depart for la belle France, 
That self same eve the rite was solemnized. 
And, as I ween, not even the gorgeous court 
Of the famed sun-king held as worth}^ a pair, 
A knight as stately or a dame as fair, 
As those that pliglited thus their sacred faith. 
A noble figure truly that famed chief 
In snow white regimentals laced with gold; 
A fitting bridegroom for a fair consort. 
That glistening glowed in robss of gold brocade. 
Thus, in effect, yet modestly our knight 
That fail romance portrayed. His young cc m- 

peers. 
Delighted heard, and commendations heaped 



67 LOUISIANAIS 

On one far-famed alike in love and war. 

These now, and likewise that brave host arrayed 

Each in gay uniform with sword and plume, 

Sat on that height a glitering coterie, 

Worthy officials of the Sun-king, aye, 

And fitting minuters of destiny. 

While there they sat upc n them suddenly 

That one of whom they spake resplendani came 

Fair as the enchantress of a poet's dream — 

Delightful hostess, jovial, debonair, 

With her she brought perforce a youthful train 

Of buskined huntsmen and of maidens fair 

And dream-like; brought a famed musician too. 

Attuning well his sighing flageolet; 

Then with a wand of magic seeminly 

Even from the purleins of her sylvan seat, 

She raised a pair of Gallic protogees, 

That to the souls of her brave guests appealed 

With eyes star-bright, and locks of midnight hue. 

Gentle albeit imperious still she arrayed 

The enchanted figures of the mazy dance, 

And as th? stars came forth and shadows veiled 

The world below, beneath the flam-beaus glore. 

And Luna's beam, they danced the minuet^ 

The blythe gavotte, and the farandole. 



LOUISIANAIS 6S 



■ t ;■■* 



jba;.Cliap. VI. Louisiane et le Fete; 
or, A Tryst with the Mystic Maiden, r. 

While thus they danced upon the beetling rock 
A form, till then unseen, caught Jean's quick 

And, in gcod scoth, it gave him quite a shock: 

He ^aw the Daughter of the Sun pass by. 
WaSyitayisioxL sent. his soul |:q raock? 

Or form angelic from the r^alm on high? 
No truly, albeit thrilling was the glance , 

S,he,cast on Jean, who straightway ^ cea#d to. 

dance; , . , .. ; 

Who then, imbued with wild Cariadiah lore,' 

And wondering at the maideif ^ adveiit there; " ^ 
Looked for the aerial caiicie ashore " -■ ^ 

Which niust, he thought, have borne hef' 
" - through the air; 
But seeing none and satisfied on'ce more ^ 

Of his full consciousness, he; sought this fair, 
Albeii native maid of high degree. 

Who inovtd, as twere, in magic mystery. 



69 LOUISIANAIS 

He found her in Madam de Tonti s cot. 

Even she observed, with pleasure undisguised, 
The beauteous forester, and even forgot 

Fashion^s last mandate that had emphasized 
The wildness of a beauty cuuibered not 

With trailing vestments, y^t, as she surmised, 
Unequaled in her flower-broidered robe, 

And eke superior to vain fashion's code. 

Needless to explain the maiden's presence there. 

By means unnatural, or otherwise; 
So I briefly afi&irm Jean found the maiden fair: 

And Barbe kenned love in their mutual eyes, 
And therewithal the reason this famed pair 

Together drew enforced by tender ties; 
And why each widely strayed athwart that vale, 

May haply appear in progress of our tale. 

Suffice it now to say Jean duly installed, 

A warden of the val d'occident, 
By order ( f the Sun«King was thus called 

To thresd the waste and, though on duty bent. 
He roved, I dare say, with a heart enthralled 

Along the way the Indian maiden went; 
And she, the offspring of the King of Day, 

On a like mission sent, had taken her way: 



LOUISIANAIS 70 

Yet, as it chanced apparently, they met. 

Her coming answered a good purpose too, 
For Jean in native gallantry, had set» 

Two hearts awry since he attentive grew 
Unt- » the adored one of an amoret; 

And fair ones there being few, the latter 
seemed 
O'er cast with gloom and Jean^s intents misdeemed. 

Pleasant relations thus were somewhat strained; 

Besides the gay gavotte was incomplete 
Until the youth St Denys had attained 

The end desired and caused some mirth, I weet, 
By dancing long with gravity well -feigned, 

With a dark crone in lieu of maiden meet. 
But rapture reigned, and beauteous romance 

When Jean with Louisiane rejoined the dance. 

And she, the heroine of our wild wood tale, 

Even in that noble group was easily 
The cynosure of all; my pen doth fail 

To paint the native grace and witchery 
That did even there the gloss of fashion pale 

And reign supreme in spite of her decree. 
Jean looked upon her rustic woodland mode. 

Delightedly and smiled at fashion's code. 



71 LOUISIANAIS 

Even so did all the joyous compaii}^; 

In trntli, 1 ween , tHe modes Parisienne , 
Were foreign to le rocHe de St Louis. 

The Wild Rose of the Deer-slayer when 
In her sweet prime and maiden purity ' 

Was scarce so wildly beautiful Tl£eti-|;^-^ ^-^^ ^'^^ -^ 
Ag Ivt^uisiane, when with her footstep light 

.Sh« joined the dance, and chased away the 
nig lit. 

InfatiiateVoiir Jean beside her danced 

And secre tly revolved a daring schetri^^''*^;; 
To break, whene'er the fit -occasion chSticed/ '■[-■ 

From custoni'ssway,-^iid realize his dream 
Of Arcady by Cupids smile enhanced: .• 

A poet's vision did before him gleam. 
To attain which emi," He Secretly r^olvedp- 7-^ — -'^^ 

To we'd; "one day, whate'er the cost ihvofved . ' 

The fair'Lbulsitine, and while his time,-' .- •■ •;'*••" 

In realms of spring beside the Father Strearii.^ 
Resolved upon thepersoti and the clinier • • "-- ;• • 

If not th^ dat^, he shocked' her, as 1 Heetii,- - _ 
By hifttiiig broadly at his scheme sublii^e, •• -' 

And ioegged an ititerview that would beseein;' 
Serious distussionx>f a "theme so fair ...^ lw:^.. 

As that which- thus engaged our happy pair r 



LOUISIANAIS 72 

Albeit shocked, her wits she yf-t retained, 

And, loving well our Jean, agreed straightway 
To greet him soon alone and unconstrained. 

Since I, sail she, cannot protract my stay. 
If th}^ pretension^; are indeed unfeigned. 

Meet me tomorrow with the wakening da}^. 
By M. Tonii's leni: where the bold rock is sheer, 

And overlooks the landscape far and near. 

Night passed away, and morn at length appeared. 

Our lovers, even as lovers always are, 
Were promptl}^ on the spot ordained. All weird 

And beautiful beneath the morning star, 
The landscape spread beneath and by it cheered 

The}^ watched the sun rise o'er the hills afar, 
The river that as liquid silver rolled. 

And wood and plain burnished with glittering 
gold. 

Then on a verdant bank the maid reclined 

And pointing south-ward with a flowery spray; 
'Monsieur', said she, 'the hope of humankind 

Ivies at our feet outstretched; dreams may dis- 
play 
This vale in its full measure as designed 

By Providence to meet the coming day," 
Jean, at such lore and learning seemed surprized. 

Since hitherto her wisdom was disguised. 



73 LOUISIANAIS 

And she, observing this, essayed to explain 

By saying that the children of the snn, 
Her fathers, came from o'er the distant main; 

Were of superior race, and haply won 
Supreme dominion o'er the w»od and plain 

By art and knowledge, and when this was done, 
They strove, though vainly, to extend the light 

Of science o'er the realm of moral night. 

Jean seeing thus that she was qualified 

To share his visions of the future days, 
And to attain them, haply, labor at his side: 

Enjoyed with her a prospect of the maze 
Of times to come, aud viewed the woodlands wide 

Coleur de rose, beneath the brightening rays 
Of an impending glory 3^et unseen, 

As well as neath the morning's glittering 
sheen. 

Thus occupied he even forgot awhile 

The tender subject that had drawn them there. 
To this he at length recurred, and with a smile. 

He said as much to his Egeria fair. 
A blush of course resulted; free from guile, 

They did, in short; what any youthful pair 
Under conditions similar might do : 

They dreamed m rapture while the moments 
flew. 



LOUISIANAIS 74 

With woinan^s intnition she perceived 

That he cared not to take the step designed 
At once or rashly, and with that releived 

His tension on that score, and eke declined 
To wed nntil from savagery retrieved 

By instruction, or in some degree refined; 
And so a teacher was provided. Then, 

With a sweet kiss they vowed to meet again. 



A ramble in oui earth- old woods will recall 
the past and furnish an agreeable diversion. 



The Forest Primeval. 
D iverti semen t. 

Our grc ves primeval, such as formed, tis said, 

The worthy coronal of nature^*=^ god, 

Of ancient Pan, though much despoiled^ survive. 

Beneath thrir shade, in deep luxuriance. 

The ferns broad-branching clothe the pristine 

scene, 
While hills and dells are carpeted oft-times, 
And tesselate with flowers of brilliant hue. 

There lone, yet bright as the tall pines are dark^ 
The helianthus glows, and in green courts 
And leafy vistas sways the golden-rod. 



75 LOUISIANAIS 

And where, midway the groves, some native conrt; 

Some green savanna with it^s tangled bewers; 

Denotes a spot where dwelt the forester 

In days gone by; there oft the haw-thorn blooms, 

And thickly clnstering groups of paradise 

And red acacias flowering induce 

A reminiscence of the by-gone days. 

But note with us the wood-hmds green and old. 

Tall forms are whispering o'er us, sombre pines, 

In shadow}' clusters rising, or enranked 

And seriate, like martial hosts arra^^ed. 

Impressive are these ever-murmuring groves. 

Majestic rise their royal canopies, 

Their greeiv arcades, by forest-kings upborne 

On widespread arms and interlacing boughs; 

While far above their towering crests outspread, 

Warding the day-beam mount these summer-skies. 

Albeit no worshippers remain, yet here, 

As 'neath som^ teiiiple's arch mysterious. 

Doth awe prevail, and mirth seem mockery: 

As reverent all, as rife with tones divine, 

As palms of Delos, as Dodona s shrine. 

Enrapt, inspired, we tread these verdant scenes, 
These gloves druidic and oracular* 
Adown the green ijlopes to the river-side. 
There live-oaks mount broad-spreading, zephyr- 
fan'd. 



LOUISIANAIS 76 

Giants of broadest shadow, ever rift, 

With choirs ecstatic in their sunless shades. 

There, moated by the lily-bordered stream. 

And rif 3 with music as the bower of love, 

,The starred magnolia blooms, the forest^s pride, 

That charms the sylvan scene, and bears aloft, 

Mid gleaming bells, its flowery campanile. 

Above the fan-palms of thai wooded strand, 

Grey cypresses, with boughs low-whispering. 

Archaic scenes revive. Ogygian shapes! 

In ordered colonnades their glistening trunks 

Beset that ancient shore; along those aisles, 

Dim-foliaged branches cast adumbral shades. 

And souncs aeolian, deep as hymn^ of praise. 

E'en these in mystic loveliness arise; 

Or else vv^ith giant trunks and gnarled arms. 

Bearded with moss, the sylvan monarchs seem 

Coeval with the Odyssean groves, 

Whose murmur but increased the loneliness 

Thai on the Atlantic Isle of Silence reigned; 

Or ancient as the forest undecayed, 

That shades the garden of the Aztec King, 

Dim-boughed, unchanged, since Montezuma's day. 

E'en since the Gaul upon yon river-side 
Placed first his old-world cottage, now antique, 
Broad-branching forms have risen; tall pecans 
With hugest shadows have o'er-cast the fields, 



^^ LOUISIANAIS 

Yet seem of yesterday by these grey wolds. 
Weird feelings in such solemn shades arise. 
Encompassed by such, fair, primeval scenes, 
And listening to such deep, pandean sounds, 
The callous breast and hardened heart may stir. 
These gigantean, mummuring woods of 'nirs 
Dim thespic shades and scenery afford, 
And solemn beauty; and the summer-land 
Their lengthened shadows fill, such deeds have 

known 
As move and harrow the distempered bard, 
And eke for rhymes and tragic artists call. 
And dreams of love withal, beauteous and fair. 
Have cast new light upon the bloom-girt bowers 
Broidering S-ibloniere and the Father Stream; 
And in old time, eVe yet romance had flown, 
Emparadised the bosky woodlands wide. 
But in these shades no forms of ill appear 
And here each sense that brooding spirit notes 
Whose presence o'er the sacred altar reigns, 
Whose awe the dim cathedral aisle pervades. 
Father Supreme! Thy mystic hand disposed 
*'The beams and arche? of the cloistered groves, \' 
And 'neath these lofty boughs, with verdant aisles, 
With colonnades, and stately peristyles, 
Upreared a fane outshining love-wrought Taj; 
Thi morisk shrine of C^riDva, grova-like; 
Oi fair Florentia^s pride, all lilly-white 
And virgin-pure, La Maria del Fior. 



LOUISIANAIS 78 

To far off climes the vagrant muse yet tends, 
To paint strange alien forms, or reproduce 
Dark scenes of frozen or of desert zones. 
In realms of orient day fain would she rove 
"Where Poestum's rose and Persia^s lilac bloom/* 
Fair eastern groves of shady tamarinds 
And torrid palms, sheltering milk-white kiosk, 
And mausoleam rare, may well awake 
Our dreaniing phantasy; the Academe, 
Or Dodonean grove of sacred oaks 
That over-shadowed with their moss-clad boughs 
Old shrines of Zeus, our raptured thoughts ei.gage: 
Yet those far scenes and reliquaries hoar, ' 
Nor secrets 3'ield, nor yet in grandeur high. 
These storied groves and haunted wilds exceed. 
Aye, wondrous scenes here wake the poet's lyre; 
The realm of Kronos doth the muse engage, 
And while her potent art the life unfolds 
That erst within a world < f shade transpired 
In the green woodland *s depths will be revealed 
Saturn ian visions aod an age of gold, 
Where, peaceful tribes, amid fair s) Ivan scenes. 
Through changeless years, pursued romantic lives. 
Far- Western-Ind! thy shadowy past unfolds, 
W^eird spectacles, with kingdoms antequate, 
The native product of the soil forsooth, 
Autochthonous, as were the Attic bards 
*Mong their ^lue waters and puipureal hills. 



79 LOUISIANAIS 

No evil sprites are here, eiiclianved or free; 

Sad Ariels or Sycoracirin shapes; 

Nor might the potency of magic wands 

The latent forces of these airs control; 

Nor Merlin, deeply-versed in darkened ways 

Nor Manito, nor Goyocop-techou, 

E'er raise or still the tempests that o'er-bear 

These forest kings, and these fair skies deform. 

And sylvans strange, and hamadryades, 

In our deep- wooded ways, and russet verse. 

Far out place ma}^ seem; weird foreigners. 

E'en as Titania with elfin train 

In courts Thesean. or as Puck afar. 

In Attic ways and classic shades a^itray. 

Through centuries past this scene hath bf-en the 

same; 
Since even the least of these guarled forms looked 

on 
The Iberian arms and burnished coats of steel,- 
When the lorn Soto, ,ueath our woodlands led 
His, roving legions through a new-fonnd world. 
A verdant scene! well might the muses haunt 
Such reb'cs of the fair, primeval sphere: 
Ensconced in such gray groves, well might they 

sing, 
Ivike us, of those grim shades, deep-bowered, 

earth-old; v::. — -.:,.: •■....;.. 

That rising here, made ours a kingdom fit 



LOUISIANAIS 80 

For scytlie-armed Saturn and his reign of gold. 
Well might they sing, or inspire the bard to sing 
The knightly heroes that these shades defied, 
And planted here the seeds of ordered life. 



Chap. VII. L' Alabama* or, 
. The Land of Rest. 



How use doth breed a habit in a ma-u: 
This shadowy desert, tmfrequented woods, 
I better brook than flourishing feofled towns. 

Two Gents, Verona. 

Low breathed the winds, nor stirred ihe green 

expanse 
Of primal woodland, scarce a sound was heard, 
As down an aisle with verdant boughs overhung, 
A line of warriors ochred, hideous, 
And well portraying carnage, death, and fate, 
All silently in shadowy series filed. 
Upon the war-path bent swiftly they moved, 
'Mong them supreme in cap and vest of steel, 
And time-staintd roquelaur, with eagle eye, 
A youthful captain moved commandingly. 
They passed. Aj.on, treacling their footsteps came, 



Si LOUISIANAIS 

As.silentl}'. brave Gati Is ^.nd bands of Swiss. 
'Mong whom conspicuous in his gaib of steel 
A tall- plumed cavalier moved silent on. 
Well-mounted and of veteran aspect he^ 
A captain famed, attracting every eye, 
Each woodsman, friend or foe, with awe beheld 
Tonti, the Iron-Hand. A southron-b( rn, 
His features swart bespake the olive-grove, 
His eye the summer-nights of Ital}'. 
With watchful care he moved. An equal then 
In rank and scarcely less in prowess came, 
Sieur de Bienville, hero of our song, 
Called often- tunes ''the Lion of the South." 
Though slight of frame and mild of mien, 
A- king 'mong men, a chief of high renown, - 
That sage in council every warrior ai l^st 
Followed with due regard, and gladly obeyed, 
As b}/ the magic of his w^ord o'er-swa3^ed. 
Lightly he sat his steed, and 'neath his cloak 
Wa^: .seen anon a coat of polished mail 
There glittering with its laminated steel. 
Upon his head the morion's open helm, 
Protecting left his features unconcealed. 
And showed a clear-cut face of classic mould; 
And fitly-arrayed, the burnished burganet. 
Was crested with a fair and flowing plume. 
'Twas the installation of the youthful chief 
In. place of note; in such brave form appeared 



LOUISIANAIS a2 

The guardian of the Vallty of tke W^st, 

In due successiai to the Iron Hand. 

The latter for a score of years alone, 

Watched at that post; the aspiring youth indeed 

Through varying scenes, for an epoch twice as 

great. 
Onward amain through shadowland they passed. 
On fields emerged, and o'er savannas green 
Their spotless banner waved its fleur-de-lis. 
Jn vain the forest river in their way, 
Its folds of glittering brightness interposed, 
Or sought to impede the march: o'er it they passed. 
And 'neath the compass' guidance north-ward 

poured, 
'Tvvas the Alabamons' war. Wi'ih treachery foul 
They forced the Gaul to invade their hunting- 
grounds; 
With promised acts of friendlme^ss allured 
The unsuFpeccing stranger to their fields; 
Allured the needy to their fields of maize 
And with uplifted axe, turned on them there. 
Two fell o'er-powered, but one escaped; 
Into the wilds escaped and still pursued, 
With rosin of the pine-tree staunched his wounds, 
Yet slackening not his pace, in time he appeared, 
Tottering with loss -of blood before his chief. 
Being thus impelled, the Lotiisianian ros^, 
Hovv^e'er opposed to strife, to avenge that wrong; 



83 LOUISIANAIS 

To acquire at least those needed fields of maize, 
And if occasion chanced, their scalps likewise. 
On open fields emerging, less constrained, 
Y^t cautious still, journeyed that armed array. 
Together then the mounted chieftains rode. 
And to the youthful veteran St Denis 
Gave the ordering of their march; Bienville still 
Conversing gladly with his honored guest. 
Silent ere long and in long file once more 
They moved again beneath overshadowing wild:^. 
With nightfall came the attack, well-planned and 

fierce, 
And shouts and warcries pandemonian rose; 
Albeit invulnerable and shadow-like, 
The savage foe in darknness disappeared, 
And after sacking empty cots and cornfields sere, 
The invader, well-nigh unavenged, withdrew. 
Then, to the occasion tqual, Jean arose, 
And from it's lair called forth a Nemesis 
That spectre-like stalked forth upon the foe. 
With tongue well-versed in every rustic speech, 
And far surpassing the Indian even in guile: 
He raised against the ho?tiles d?ath-still bands 
That like the plague unseen their numbers 

thinned. 
As ^)lus ruled the wmds, our here swayed 
The tameless tribes: as with a magic wand^ 
He stilled their fury, yet that mystic rod, 



LOUISIANA IS 34 

Of true cadticean power, often hurled 

Blood-reeking braves against demonian foes, 

And quelled the savage with his brother's sltc. 

Our heroes, on that expedition, pasj^ed 

To the utmost limit of the shadowland 

So fairly named; passer! east and north beyond 

The Alabama's tribntar}^ vale; 

And from the summit of a towering peak, 

Viewed once again the valley of onr song; . 

The ocean seemingly whereto, as 'twere, 

The former appeared an inlet or an arm. 

Beneath th^.m rolled the sparkling Tennesee^ 

And noitiiward stretched the vale immensurable, 

Tliat through the field-glass viewed, appeared a 

maze 
Of glittering streams and verdant woods and fields. 
There standing the elder paladin exclaimed: 
^'Dost realize that in this mighty vale 
The w^hole of Europe, with it's half a score 
Of potent kingdoms miglii extended lie; 
And that, one day, o'er-flowing with life and light. 
Twill boast of glories hitherto unknown, 
And beauties uniraagined yet b\' man?" 
*'Most true," said Jean, "'tis even so, I ken. 
Unto a point whereon, one day, [ stood, 
By Bay d' Hudson, 'tis twice a thousand miles; 
And thence far onward the great vale extends: 
xAnd were this glass to the earth's convexity 



Ss LOUISIANAIS 

Adapted, we might from this height behold 
That far-off shore, or toward the north-west view, 
At equal distance, the great foreland where 
The mountains in wide terraces descend 
Into the central plain, and form, as 'twere, 
A rounded dais, with steps successive from 
The vale below to mountain realms above; 
Where walls titanic, castled rocks anc towers, 
Give evidence that higher powers there, 
Were wont to congregate, and from those heights 
Or view from f'^r the world-wide vale below. 
Or like the angels of the patriarch's dream, 
Mount or descend at will the mystic s^air. 
■Tis so, at least, the native legends say. 
'Tis further said that guarding or. e ich hand 
That mighty gateway, are hills thai, bastion-like, 
Sho^r outward from the mountain-w Jl bey )nd: 
.\nd that, immoating each of tliese high holds. 
On rock-strewn bed, once rolled a lake of fire. 
Then Iron-Hand: "Dark mysteries haunt this vale: 
Upon yon mountain-side are found the tracks 
Of six-tot d giants and th^ir mammoth steed:^. 
And this great vale, and that wide mountain- stair 
Whereof you speak, may've seen the giant's war 
While on those heights mayhap an Eden bloomed, 
And in this valley of our love and pride 
La}' God's great garden, half a hoary wood, 
And half an endless plain; that eastward spread 



LOUISIANAIS 86 

From Eden's wcvll, was watered by the stieam, 
Four-fold, full-fed, devolving from her bowers. 
Then Jean, who from the Egeria of the woods 
Their legends learned:''The natives say besides 
That higher powers will guard the vale of vales, 
And hence repel the intruder, till the day 
Of Freedom dawns; an era which even now 
Is drawing nigh; but on the advent fair 
Of that auspicious day, the mystic vale 
Will be the seat of that unfettered mind, 
Of ihai unshackled freeman yet to be, 
Prefigured as Prometheus Unbound. 
'Tis so 1 rend the natives' speaking bark 
That tells their lore. That freeman, heaven-sent, 
Will haply be not of my race, nor thine, 
Nor of the Briton's blood; but all of these 
Will in his nature blend. 'Though, as I ween, 
Grim revolution will precede his hirth, 
I'd strive to open in the wilderness 
A pathway foi his feet, and curb and tame 
The savage race that doth beset his way," 
Then Iron-Hand, and with a look inspired: 
^"Tis as thou say'st, and yet unwittingly 
Dost thou, even thon, fulfill the will of fate 
A*nd with a wall of fire and clouds of gloom 
Repel even now, him that, ere many years, 
Refined by revolution, will become 
The Unbound Prometheus, and ihc fitting lord 



8; LOUISLANAIS 

Of this, the last and best retreat of man." 

To the rude fort returned, the}^ encamped again 

Within it's barricade, where Immobile, 

Clustering hard by, appeared a pictured page 

Of some poetic tale wherein was shown 

Some sunny dreamland or some world long-gone. 

Alas! upon that shore a conqueror came, 

A foe unseen, against whose dread advance, 

The sword amd buckler were oi no avail; 

The insidious fever: even Iron-Hand 

Inhaled it's venom and at last succombed: 

Upon his (ouch, undaunted still, r^'clincd, 

And for the north-wind of the Illinois sii^hed. 

Despite his sufferings auvd the poignant n;rief 

That lately oppressed his spirit thore, he turned 

Unto the scene of his wild life and Icve; 

The far St Louis of the Illinois, 

And the lone grave beneath that height, wherein 

Th'" mortal part of Madam Tonti lay. 

While Jean still faithful at his side iemasned, 

He raved, as 'twere, and called upon the name 

To him most dear; with her he trod in thought 

The Illinois' land, th? shore where then he lay: 

At length, as gazing on a fairer realm, 

The knight edclaimed, exclaimed wieh emphasis: 

'^Tj.is is the Alabama verily; 

This is the land of rest; of ah most fair." 

Undaunted thus, the Iron-Hani, expired. 



LOUISIANAIS SS 

Chap. VIII. L'Insurrecti' m; 
or, The Petticoat-Rebel Hon. 

Lion-Guardant, our somewhat gutteral theme, 

May sound as if the said Lion should growl; 
An that be so, it doth the more beseem 

Our land of shadows when the were-wolf's howl 
Rose nightly still, and with the conger's scream, 

Awoke the maniac laughter of the owL 
The theme bespeaks our hero undismayed, 

The lion-guardian of the realm of shade. 

We observe him now as in Mauvilla^s town; 

A bark-thatch^d village of the pristine style. 
There for a time he ruled and Won renown, 

Essayed the simple natives to beguile; 
Labored to keep dark-browed sedition down; 

Or oft divided tribes to reconcile: 
O'er many a mighty council there presided. 

And many a tribal difference decided. 

But prithee reccollect our sentinel, 

Our Louisianian was at first in fact 
A stripling youth, a forester withal, 

So if historians find that he then lacked 
In state-craft, played the enfans terrible, 

And at the stake, the sullen warriors racked; 
We answer simply, it had been a wonder. 

If he so circumstanced had failed to blunder. 



89 LOUISIANAIS 

But Jean's worst trials in those youthful days 

Came with the petticoat rebellion; aye, 
This tried him sc rely, each historian says, 

And all agree that it upset well-nigh, 
His lilliputian kingdom. 'Gainst the maize, 

Or &o at least t^s said, with hue and cry 
The damas arose, and vowed by cock and pie 

Such fare could ne'er their palates gratify; 

Their cultured tastes. Aye, 'twas no vain desire, 

No baseless grievance, bade them emulate 
Our female- suffragist; our lady dire. 

Imperious grown from ruling o'er h?r mate, 
And all insatiate that wouil no^ aspire 

To rule or ruin 'he devoted state; 
The Creole fought never for such non-.sense 

But, on dit, o'er htr pantry and its contents. 

The movement a portentous one became^ 

Though a fiasco, still a thing of note, 
A fierce sedition, though its common name 

Be borrowed from the blameless petticoat. 
An article of dress whose end and aim 

Are laudable and ninocent I wot; 
The womens' war; so much the name denotes, 

'Twas grim rebellion though in petticoats. 



IvOUlSiANAIS 90 

That statement haply shoultl be qualified: 

The fact, of course no classic writer notes, 
Yet from the circumstances ^tis implied 

And probable, they had no petticoats. 
Which grievance with the lesser one described 

Made their cause irksome as the ^sans culottes'; 
It must have been unwonted destitution 

Tliat caused the fair to rise in revolution. 

The unmarried ladies too in secret nursed 

Another grievance gainst the governor. 
This they regarded, though of course the}^ durst 

Not mention such as cause for open war. 
As we have proudly written from the first 

He loved none save his mystic monitor. 
Who yet remaijied unworthy in their eyes 

To attain, o'er them, so notable a prize. 

The unhappy ladies their tear-stained appeal 

Presented, at Jean's S3dvan capital. 
Oft-called in mockery 'Ville de Immobile,' 

A town of huts rude-built and comicah 
To them Jean's eulogy, pronounced with zeal, 

Of heaven-sent maize, sremed false and farcical; 
Though, as oft beset by famme as by strife, 

'Twas then, in truth, our nation's staff of life. 



91 LOUISIANAIS 

What e^er the secret cause, beneath the moon 
Of black-berries the direful climax came, 

When fruit- filled baskets, the unrivalled boon 
Of summer-fields, into the village came; 

And yet nor pie, nor pasty, morn or noon; 

The house-wives wroth proceeded first to blame 

Their recreant lords who with no good intent 
. Set them in turn against the government. 

The bonnetied insurgents early gained 

The fair Parisiennes but lately sent 
To cheer the foresters; these too disdaii.ed 

Their humble fare and swelled the discontent. 
And so at length well organized and trained 

With broomsticks all, they sought that gov- 
ernment; 
And as our Jean sat in ih^ chair of state, 

His post became too dread to contemplate, 

Or dwell upon at length, so we but strive 

To summarize the happenings of that day. 
Tis Faid that Jean, approaching twenty-five, 

A comely bachelor, held thus at bay. 
With forced, yet forceful smiles,did long contrive, 

Despite the loss of some false locks, they say, 
A rent surtour, and badly battered nose, 

To ameliorate and thus withstand his foes. 



LOUISIANAIS . 92 

The youthful governor their vengeful ire 

Awhile sustained. Anicng hi^ milder feet, 
Among the dark-eyed maidens of the Loire, 

Some seemed to pity the commandant's woes; 
But some maids de correction, dark and dire, 
Still clutched at his thinned locks, and with 
stern blows 
And brandished conchac blades, showed then and 
there. 

The savages penchant to acquire his. hair: 
His scalp In truth. Their object he discerned, 

And saw 'twas scarce a time for smiling mirth; 
He grew more serious, then. became concerned. 

Though oft beset by temptest, flood and dearth. 
The head of the fair state, as he then learned, 

Was ne^er in greater danger from its birth. 
To elude their grasp and gain a post withal 

From which to arraign them and their hearts 
recall, 

High on a casque he nimbly sprang and stood, 

While angered dames and threatening broom- 
sticks round, 
More dange^-ous seemed than any storm or flood 

Thai ever burst on that devoted ground. 
While wrathful tones and vengeful cries for blood, 

Re-echoed and alarmed the village round. 
^Though a lofty post, but few had cared to grace. 

At that fell moment, the commandant's place. 



93 IvOUISIANMS 

A warrior £)f note and-forliiS' valor famed, 

His nom de guerre, legion de la Slid, 
Held thus at bay, our king of beasts untamed, 

The lion rampant and the man of blood, 
Seemed powerless as one l^ss grandl}^ named. 

He stoodand smiled upon the threatening flood 
Nor 3^et essayed, with his accustomed arts 

To qnell the tumult, or regain their hearts. 

Meantime a gentler fair one stood opart, 

And knowing wrll our Jean's ability 
To quell the tumult; knowing well his art; 

She indulged ma3'hap in some hilarity: 
Albeit, as 1 ween, her tender heart 

Approved no such ungentle methods. She, 
As stated, stood apart, and in her mien 

And manner showed tlie bearing of a queen. 

Knowing, ma3'h^p, the causes of complaint, 

She deemed them vain, for being 'forest-reared, 
Accustomed to th? maize and vestments quaint. 

The pasty and the petticoat appeared 
To her siiperfluous and of merit faint. 

And so, as stated, notliing serious feared. 
I wot she enjoyed Sicur Jean's embarrassment 

And deemed the afiair a cause for merriment. 



EOUISIANAIS -94 

Albeit 'sa great' the fx-ials of his |)lace, 
So wrathful and relentless 'his fair foes, 

*Tis hard to say how Jean escaped disgrace, 
Discomfiture,- and even lethal blows 

From brawn}^ arms; "'twas truly a sad case; 
^'Yet to the occasion equal he arose, 

As -with' a^ magic wand the storm he quelled, 
And wolidrousl3^ the infant state upheld. 

He paid them first some truthful compliments 

For strength and willin acting thu;^ perforce; 
He next invoked their lofty sentiments 

Until the' dames relaxed at his' discourse; 
And he savx^ throup^h their rent liabiliments 

Their casus belli and the derfaier resource^ 
*Tis so at least the poet doth surmise; 

And with the event the hypothesis complies. 

Oblivious then of rage anci violence. 

He led them to old Louis' royal store, 
And acting tliere with plainest common-sense. 

Hurled forth the kind's ofiicial from the door. 
And without value pai(i.,0r -recompense. 

He purchased peace with webs and wares galore; 
And 'mong the sundries giveiv each, I wot. 

There gleamed a brightly- emblazoned petticoat. 



95 LOUISIANAIS 

The lack of which had been, as I surmise, 

The real casus-belli of the strife. 
The simple want of cereal .supplies 

Had scarce disturbed th^ tenor of tlieir life, 
And Jeajv had noted with discerning eyes 

Such times had cGme» with monstrous evils rife, 
When governments, perforce, relax their sway, 

And monarchs wise the populace obey. 

After this rare ensaniple of his skill 

In quelling tumults; in affairs of state; 
After ths tiiumph o'er the women's will, 

By yeilding to it: 'tis net strange that fate, 
Even frowning fate, did in the end fulfill 

His mandate, and his glory consummate; 
For in spite of fate, this RomuUis of our homes 

Built up his empire grander far than Rome's. 




LOUISIANAIS 96 



Cliapt. IX. Rosalie. 
Or, The Natchez' Hate, 



Oyt Susqtiehan^^a's banks, fair Wyoming, 

Although the wild^flower on thy ruined wall, 

And roofless homes, a sad remembrance ^ring 
Of what thy gentle feofle d'ldlbefall: 

Yet thou wert once the loveliest land of all 

That see the Atlantic waie their morn 1 estore, 

Gertrude 0^ Wyoming. 

Fair Rosalie! through cloud-rifts of the past 
Are seen the epochs of thy history; 
lu number only two; thy birth, thy death; 
Brief lale! a legend such as blazons oft 
The tablet of a half -forgot ten grave. 
Vd here recount thy sad, tempestuous birth; 
And afterwards thy fate portray, amid 
The storms that followed our good knight's recall, 
The Natchez raised the war-whcop. Stealthily, 
They slew the unwary Frenchmen, whose life- 
blood 
Thus early stained that high, ill-omened shore 



97 LOUISIANAIS 

Where sprung our village, fair and nobly named, 

Our Rosalie. Thither was sent our knight 

By his enemy, at that sad time, his chief: 

Sent thither, and with less than three-score Mades^ 

'Gainst a fierce nation sundr}^ thousand strong; 

A youthful David 'gainst Goliath hurled. 

But even so circumstanced, ere many days 

That nation stood aghast. The stern white chief, 

Invited now to arms, and now to truce, 

With warriors reeking froui the ambuscade, 

Evinced at once, and justly, as I ween, 

A cunning deadlirr than the red-man's own, 

And in his grasp retained as hostages 

Their chieftains, of tlu^ lineage of the sun. 

In whom concentering reigned their destiny. 

Aghast the nation stood; in dread and fear. 

Thtcaptivcs (juaked; at length as suppliants prone, 

They approached tlie wlnte chief, proffering pipes 

of peace, 
And round him thronged with friendly seemhig 

smiles; 
But he their treachery ar.d their hearts discerned, 
And slil! disdained the pi]">e; i.t length he arose 
And wliile they heard in mock Iiumility, 
He unfolded their most .treacherous, as they 

deemed, 
Most deeply- hidden crimes. Continued he: 
''Your lives are safe, l)ecause vcmr hands show not 



LOUISIANAIS 98 

The stain of blood; but those, the murderers, 
That by your tolerance have performed those 

crimes 
To uncover which I come, not even their scalps 
Can still m}^ rage. Before I accept the pipe 
Or on your shore erect my intented seat, 
Bring forth the murderers' heads; their very heads: 
That I may know the ^eal traitors died: 
Do this at once, and at your peril fail. 
You know my influence Snong the nations round. 
You know full well if I a finger raise 
Against you, or a single war-whoop give; 
The Father of Rivers will i>ot fail to hear, 
Nor fail to bsar the eclic up and down 
To his tributaries; even the woods themselves 
Will hear me; will prick up their leafy ears; 
From the big salt lake, from the Mexique Gulf, 
To those fresh-water lakes that northward lie; 
Will hear, and raising their great voices high, 
Ar, when encountenng the wild hurricane. 
Will .'^umnion forth the children of the forest 
From every quarter of the horizon round. 
And crush you with their over-whelming powers. 
^'You know I do not boast; that our allies. 
The fed men round, will gladly fall upon you 
And ] aze with fire those beauteous villages 
In whic!i you pride; and will do so besides, 
Witliout the risk of any French-man's life. 



99 LOUISIANAIS 

^'Measure for measure', is our changeless law: 
''Blood will have blood, nor do I yet believe 
That you refuse to abide the accustomed rule. 
That there is danger in its slightest breach 
And peace and safety in respecting it, 
You know full well. But time moves on apace. 
And your white brother waits for your reply". 
The chiefs on due consideration then, 
By fear impelled and not b}' friendlines?: 
'The voice of the Great Spirit bids us speak. 
And grant our borther that which hi requires. 

They spake with heads low-hung, and in their 

eyes 
Gleamed hate o'er-awed, not love or friendship's 

flame. 
Thus then was sealed that act of dread import, 
More gory even than Shylock's bitter bond, 
And like it calling f'»r a price of blood: 
Thus all unwillingly, albeit with gore, 
They purchased peace and with it, Rosalie. 
The fearful mandate to the native town 
The messenger conveyed. On the fourth day, 
That plumed and lIIu'.* . warrior came agai:i; 
And through the camp thz votive h-ads conveyed. 
A f J rest Perseus and gorgon -like 
T.12 trophies ha displayed; p ile visages, 
Deep-stained and reekino^ with their clotted eore. 
Tiie vhit^ c'lijf !ki -"e I 012 ;^villii fa?2 asMa. 



LOUISIANAIS loo 

*'^Tis not the face of Oyelape, said he; 
"'Of him 3^e call the chief of the White Clay, 
But of the innocent that died for him." 
When the Indian messenger approached the town 
He passed the while clay^s dwelling where it stood 
Hard by the village-gate. To a kinsman there 
Of Oyelapehe told the latter's doom. 
Soon .'mong the braves beneath their council-tree 
Transpired a scene of fear. A warrior rose 
Ta excite his tribe to dire extremities 
Ere yield the sachem '5 life; th^t honored one, 
Who from the day his hallowed lineage drew, 
Whose sacred form their tribe had even borne 
In proud processions lauding still his fame. 
The warrior's tones of wrath about the throng 
Of suns and village-chiefs re-echoed still, 
Vvlien in their midst appeared a villager 
* Unmarked by rank or fame, a lieD still 
Whose like even loftier states may seek in vain. 
The hero ready at the call of love 
To smile on fate, to die for his fellow-man; 
In heaven-bright realms shall quaff his mead of 

praise; 
And that rude savage deep attention claimed 
Agreeing thus to meet a cruel fate 
And save a chief beloved whose wisdom ruled 
The council and their forest-state preserved. 



loi LOUISIANAIS 

Himself, unskilled in war, or counsels high, 
Awhile their tribe might lose; in fairer fields 
He yet should reap the compensation due 
And gain high honors for unselfish deeds. 
Thus spake the brave, the chiefs were silent all. 
'Twas Oyelape's brother, that unknown to him 
Thus sought to shield that noble warrior's life. 
In that admiring throng no voice was heard 
His will to oppose, and when his form reclined 
Upon the block of death reluctant hands 
Obeyed the sylvan hero's stern command 
And 'neath the axe that head dissevered lay 
Whose crimson face yet undistorted seemed 
Unmoved and herdless of the stroke of fate. 
Despite the escape of Oyelape our chief, 
Appeased by a brother's Christ-like love and death; 
Received at last the Natchez^ pipe of peace: 
And, as 'twas said, to insure fraternity; 
Reared on their pleasant shore, our Rosalie. 
A russet bulwark with deepset pieux, 
Inclosing barrac ks tiled with c} press-bark, 
All grim with ordinance and with flags unfurled. 
Round this, its nucleus, roce tlie simple town; 
Ill-omened, I may say, the child cf strife. 
Even whilst the workmen cleared its beauteous 

site. 
Rebounding o'er the axr's stroke, was heard 



LOUISIANAIS I02 

Tlie horrid death-song of the half-breed chief, 

Grim Long-beard of upbraidings ominous, 

A prcphet truly and of evil note. 

Bound to his death-tree on the bosky shore 

The rising town and with it his false tribe 

He doubly damned and doomed. The French at 

last, 
Or as some say, his angered countrymen, 
Weary of that vile tongue in wrath arose, 
To still itj=" clamor. Seeing this he grew 
More clamorous and more inhuman still 
Till his dread death-song drew all hearers round. 
Transfixed, as twere, they heard a threnody; 
The song, it seemed, of one with whom compared, 
The old man of the mountain had seemed tame 
And even Blue-beard mild and common -place. 
Rejoicing that his beard had been gorestained, 
On sundry occassions, and with human blood; 
His frenzied objurgations he thus closed: 
I die content, for I leave but the doomed behind 

me. 
I go now to revel with my noble forefathers; 

Tbey will welcome the Chief of the Beard, 
Will welcome him to their homestead, 

'When they see so many scalps at his girdle. 
And his beard with blood of the French made red. 

He ceased, and with the echo of miisketiy, 
Undaunted passed into another world. 



I03 LOUISIANAIS 

He ceased, and pick and flint-axe tlms disturbed, 

By woeful warnings, builded Rosalie. 

The wilds and woodlands swiftly disappeared 

And bark-roofed domes and cottages arose^ 

Wiiile natives danced beneath the cannons mouth 

And songs of summer gladdened field and fell. 

Still o'er that scene a boding shadow hung, 

Our wise chief marked it well, as there it rose; 

With deepening gloom portentous as grim fate. 

Or evil destiny all ominous 

With threatening aspect frowning on those 

fields; 
Like the dread Long-beard, liideous it stood, 
H^'gh towering in air, with baleful eye. 
And pointed finger, turned upon that shore; 
On thy maize-mantled shore, O, Rosalie! 
Or else the spectre of savage hate low-crouched, 
With naked dagger, to the eye appeared 
And menaced there thy village infantine. 
However, while he, the observant chief remained- 
And o'er that realm of spectra, waved his wand 
With mystic pow:r, thy threatened homes sur- 
vived: 
But, sad to say! his eneni}^ prevailed. 
His enemy and thine, and with his fall. 
But for a day, unhappy town! came thine. 
As God's good angel stood with potent wand 
Beside the prophet in the lion's den. 



LOUISIANAIS 104 

And held him scathless, so the wiidwoods' lord 
Preserved the hamlet hidden in it's shade, 
And Inlled the tribes, like threat'ning- beasts to 

peace. 
W? thus behold, in our ^oung palac in, 
Not solely the lieutenant of the king, 
Or ruler of the sylvan Lilliput, 
Ville d'l^iimobile, but eke a nobler form, 
That looming gigantean o'er our vale, 
And watchful still, o'ei -awed the sylvan sphere. 
Upon this expedition our true knight 
Another and a fairer conquest made. 
For sundry moons Lomsiane had roved 
Th-i^ spring-tide forests with her gentle tribe, 
Or in her native town sojourned in peace. 
Awd now, as Jean remembered well, the day 
When she should meet him by the lather-Stream 
And there discuss their future state, drew nigh. 
As he well knew, the village of her love 
La}- on the oak-crowned high-land termed by him 
Le Batcn Rouge. There lay the sylvan seat 
Where, in the Illinois' land, Louisiane 
Had vowed to meet him many moons befoie. 
There then, in that quaint capital, she lay, 
In royal seat, bark-built, palmetto-thatched. 
Close pictured o'er wath bright-hued birds and 

flowers; 
While in it's purlieus grandiflora gleamed, 



I05 LOUISIANAIS 

Anc' in it's front in tnrbid grandeur rolled 
The awful volume of the Father-Stream. 
Our youthful hero, disembarking near, 
Alone well-nigh, approached the village gate. 
The princess' train, a joyous crew, had sought 
In field and fell the lino;erino' blackberries, 

O O 7 

And now, wnth baskets filled, the hour's beguiled. 
A.S ^neath an oak's broad shade, with grace an- 

tic[ue, 
The nut-brown maidens led their choral dance. 
Our chevalier approaching paused, ^veil-pleased: 
Full gaily danced the nymphs and joyous sang: 
Bounded each heart: was ne'er a scene more fair, 
Even when o'er earth prevailed the golden age, 
And brighter suns by clear Peneus' flood. 
Gladdened purpureal Tempe's happy vale. 
Delight! ul scene! So thought our Jean at least. 
Who, to the wilds accustomd long, beheld 
Their scenes of beauty with a partial eye, 
And, on the occasion named, wdth heart atiuned 
To diougts of gentleness; since, led by love. 
Or such high thoughts as fired the Ausonian knig, 
He sought the fair Egeria of the wild. 
The band of maidens he remembered well 
As that which formed ere while the princess' train, 
And still he douoted not, her cortege m^de. 
At liis :-pproach they ceased iheir choral song, 
An.1 i:i respect Aal silence waited him. 



LOUISIANAIS io6 

A.-5 he drew nigli, versed in their lore, he observed 

They represented each a different tribe, 

And some far-distant ones; while each displayed, 

In quaint insignia, the emblem of her home. 

There stood Dakota, from the h.nd of snow; 

Nebraska, from the plain: and Tennesee, 

From the eastern wood, brown-hued and beautiful; 

While Minnesota's Laughing-Water there 

Consorted with bow-bearing Arkansas: 

x\nd all w4th beaded buskins, broidered skirts, 

Gold- tinseled, formed a gay and glittering throng. 

From them the princess' whrieabouts he learned; 

Learned that ^he waited in a lodge hard by; 

And eke the fairest damsel smilingly 

Led him straightway unto the trysting-place. 

The princess hailed him and with joy received 

A repetition of their parting kiss. 

Their lives then, as their hearts and hands, they 

joined 
In mutual love and blest companionship; 
A fact untold, for fear of that dread king 
Whose maidens de correction et cassette, 
They thus in act, as well as words contemned. 
Still as ihey roved the palm- thatched palace, or 
Enchanted trod the grandiflora grove. 
Unto the observer's fancy they recalled 
Or gallant Rolfe 'neath Pocahontas' smile, 
Or Pitcairn and his Otaheitian bride. 



ps^ b-i- Vj^ jnr^ s^;:^ cr>^ b>^ — :^^ :^^ — ^^>-^ ^}i J^ ^,'i --^^ — rr^rcTTf- 

j1^ 



The Tropic Valley. 






* 



/ dreamt of wandering 'mong groves of palms, 



* 



it 



^ ui'cu-mi uj wanciering m,ong groves Of paim.s, . 

^ P^/^c'^^ polished leajage peyidant, drooping low, ') 

^ Zf/ by a sun descending o'er far hills, 

In splendor shone a7id flamed with ruby glow. 
^ The brightly gleaming bos.om o^ the Izke 
*'i Upon it's tranquil frotct took tints of rose, 

And on the shore where willows spread thei' shoots, 
J saw the herons fixed in shadowy f>ose. 
t ^ Gc'o. Isaacs. \^ 

I 5j, 0-^ ^*^ tJ*^ 9_o-^ ^_9^ <t^ - <u^ --^ ->^ -gg ^J g^ ^g^ ^iij^ ■■~<j^ "i\\ 



LOUISIANA IS 107 



Armageddon, Past and Present; . 

OR, 

Reflections on tlie Battle-Ground of Nations. 

A Divertisement. 



We often turn in imagination toward * the shin- 
ning orient' for pastime and profit withal; and it 
is to be hoped the purposes of a divertisement 
^vill be answered by the following view from 
fancy's oriel toward the gates of day; which, 
however, is in the form of an address delivered by 
the wnter, some months since, at the Central 
High School of Sabine Parish, La. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

As a preliminary I will invite you all to join 
me this morning in an imaginary pilgrimage to 
Holy Land, in a short excursion at least to the 
goal of the palmer's and the crusaders desires. I 
would have you wander with me in fancy among 
the hills of Gallilee, the mountains of Zebulon's 
land, and southward over the fields of Manasseh. 
Would linger in thought by that ancient river, 
Kislion, that divides the storied plain of Esdrae- 
lon. It i? to that historic spot I invite your atten- 
tion most particularly. It is variously known as 
the vale of Jezreel, as the plain of Esdraelon, as 



io8 LOUISIANAIS 

the Armageddon of prophecy, as the Battleground 
of Nations in profane story; and to the present 
habitues of that vicinity^ as the Pasture-Land of 
the son of Amor. 

A modem traveler speaking of a view of the 
landscape alluded to from one of the beautiful 
summits of lower Gallilee, says that apart from 
all sacred and historic associations, and viewed 
simply as unknown valleys and hills, ht never 
behefd a more attractive prospect than was there 
presented. ''How much more interesting was the 
scene in fact, said he, since the flowery field of 
Esdraelon, known to prophecy as Armageddon, 
and to profane histor}' as "the Battleground of 
nations'^ lay outspread before him, while upon it.-> 
back-ground of hills lay the scene of the child- 
hood and transfiguration of Christ. There, sa3^s 
the French historian Guizot, is the most favorable 
scene for indulging in dreams of human felicity. 
That plain, says another, is still of astonishing 
fertility. Still another speaking of it while in a 
state of desolation said it resembled a great mead- 
ow, and under normal conditions, should resemble 
a great garden some hundreds of square miles 
in extent. There teeming harvests should still 
reward the careful husbandman. There the olive 
and the vine may still flourish m luxuriance and 
the stately palm with its plumes of victory. There 
nature, with her veil of tender verdure conceals 



LOUISIANAIS 109 

ihf ravages of ancient wars, and the dream of 
paradisian beauty and happiness is there revived 
beneath the spell of t re pic flowers, and the song 
of the eastern nightingale. There every tree and 
flower is redolent of the pa?t. There the lily of 
the valley once attracted and still recalls the 
Shnnemite, the pride and inspiration of Solomon. 
There the feathery date-tree once sheltered and 
still suggests the victorious march of Deborah, 
the heroine of Israel, ''going up to the help of the 
Lord against the mighty," Perhaps the best 
epitome of that valley s history is found in her 
majestic song: Thci-e indeed ^^the kings came and 
fought;" There "fought the kings of Canaan, in 
Taanach by the waters of Meggic'do. They took 
no gaijv of money. The river of Kishon swept 
them away.' Such has been a summary of 
its history. The kings of the east have there met 
and fought and fell; and the waters of Meggiddo 
have swept their dast into the sea, or with it en- 
riched the pasture-land of the son of Amor, 

But could the wand of a fairy recall the stirring 
scenes enacted in that historic field we would 
there behold an epitome of the struggles of man- 
kind through the ages. We would there behold 
Sisera, with his nine hundred chariots of iron, 
overthrown by a woman. Would there see re- 
vealed the sword of the Lord and of Gideon, in 
discomfiture of the hosts of Midian, 



no LOUISIANAIS 

Would see the majestic Saul of Israel, iu couflict 
with his mortal foes, the Philistines; would find 
there embattled through s:uccessive ages the Jews 
and Gentiles, Egyptians and Persians, Greeks 
and Romans, Crusaders and Saracens, Turks and 
Arabs, and of course the Briton and the Gaul. 
As one wrltex* has said: 'Warriors of every na- 
tion under heaven have pitched their tents upon 
tlic plain of Esdraelon and beheld the banners of 
iheir various nations wet with the dews of Tabor 
and Hermon It has been the chosen place for 
battles and military opc^rations in every age, from 
the time of Barak to that of Bonaparte . 

Among the scenes of Holy Land none really, 
not even Jerusalem or Zion's Hill, affords a better 
topic for discussion than our blood-stained Arma- 
geddon, the garden-spot of Gallilee, and the Bat- 
tlegr .und of Nations. I rather pref'-r that 
historic fVld in spite of its warlike associations. 
It is true there c.re other influences and associa- 
tions connected with that storied plain. While it 
has i-o often resounded to the din of arms and 
d;iink t^ : b!':>).l of strujgling hosts, upon 
ils verge is seen the sacred mount of the trans- 
figuration aufl that of ^he nitivity of Chrii^t, 
flanked on either hand by the mount of Blessings 
and the mount of Beatitudes. And those that 
place tlieir trust in Christianity as the salvation 



LOUISIANAIS III 

of the world, may point to that historic field, and 
the thousand wars of old, and to the folly and 
fruitlessness of such struggles and conflicts, and 
then picture as a striking contract, as the emblem 
of a better and holier spirit, the christ-child in 
youthful innocence among the flowers of beauti- 
ful Jezreel, and afterwards of mature age preach- 
ing peace to the nation? warring there, and re- 
joice in the victory of his creed as the harbinger 
of a better and a brighter age. Indeed it would 
seeui not inappropriate if a benign and heavenly 
influence should take its rise upon that greatest 
sepulchre of man, the Battleground of Nations^ 
with its stupendous struggles and its correspond- 
ing moral teachings. The most impressive teach- 
Migs of that subject, the ancient field of Arma- 
geddon with its arpents of human dust, are the 
vanity and futility of mere earthly and temporal 
struggles and achievements. Man must perish 
and his proudest works must fall, though he as- 
pire to heaven, and though his head touch the 
clouds, yet shall he flee away as a shadow and as 
a vision of the night. 

Vain indeed must our earthly achievements be 
held unless these tend to improve the heart and 
fit the soul for the hereafter: unless those achieve- 
ments can elevate our race, and like the golden 
chain of Jupiter, raise man from earth to heaven 



112 LOUISIANAIS 

and preserve commuiiicaticai between onrownand 
that eternal shore. Onr first duty then should 
be to seek God and his goodness, whos^ divine 
power and grace may yet revive all the myriads of 
human lives that have been queue hed on the va- 
rious batilegrounds of earth, and unite the just at 
hiFl in an eternal rec.lm. 

And yet there is a destiny before the living world, 
there is a victory in store for the struggling 
nations on earth's oaltle-fields: which is worthy of 
consideration. This moves of necessity, and 
thus f^.r, though partial and interrupted pro- 
gress is manifest. Compare the enlightened 
with the unenlightened portions of the globe, and 
the intellectual worki of toda}- with that of former 
times. We find the mind in past ages loaded 
with chains and fetters;- at the present, disen- 
thr illed and moving with irresistible force, the 
.menace of the universe. At our present rate of 
progress it seems we must reach the goal of our 
r xe at no distant day. The theme of our discourse, 
in addition to behig the Battleground of Na- 
tions in the past, has been referred to in 
prophecy as the scene of the last and greatest of 
conflicts known as the Great Day of the Lord. It 
is true our horoscopes bearing upon the darkened 
future may be somewhat unreliable. Christ, i). 
mockery, asked the pretentious Pharisees why 



LOUISIANA IS III 

they could not discern the signs of the times. 
With this w? may compaie what was, according 
to Arnold's Mirza, the statement of the holy an- 
gels to Mohammed. Said they: 'Times and 
Signs we wot not, only Allah knows,' But 
whether our version of the prophetic conflict of 
Armageddon he the true one or not, I hold that 
merely as a rhetorical figure the metaphor is an 
impressive one, and may well be applied to the 
stirring events of our own day and tinic. Ours 
is the age of great achievements, of Herculean 
labors, anc^ of decisive progress towaids a higher 
state. 

I have already stated, and I repeat, so great and 
decisive is the world s progress in tliese times 
that it seems we must needs reach the goal of 
our race at no distant day. The achievements of 
our modern science are such as to make us be- 
lieve that mankind are about to leave the dead 
vv'a.-tesof the past, the improgressive stages of their 
career and enter upon perhaps a higher order of 
existence. 

However this ma}^ be, the fact remains that 
the socalled chosen race, with their scythe-armed 
wiir-cha riots, crushing the flowers of Jezreel; 
with splintering spears and battle-axes flashing 
in*air; failed to accomplish the victory of peace, 
or an3'th!ng like the far-off repuV-lic of love. 



114 LOUISIANAIS 

Throughout subsequent eras too, we find the- 
tribes of earth there engaged without avail in 
promiscuous battle and bloodshed despite the 
teachings of Him who from the adjoining 
height, ble^ssed the peace-maker and reiterated 
His command: Love ye one another. The kings 
of the historic east have met and warred, and 
that gory Battleground of Nations has full often 
been the scene of carnage and of death. But the 
sparkling waters of Megiddo still freshened their 
verdant Jezreel, the gcre and carnage but en- 
riched its teeming soil, and tliat typical ai<d most 
ancient battleground of earth has remained a 
picture of unrivalled loveliness. Such have con- 
tinued to be the typical scenes of history; the 
battleground reeking with human gore, and na- 
ture, drawing her veil of living beauty over the 
sanguinary scene; war's dread golgothas full of- 
ten becoming the most fertile and blooming spots 
of rarth. The flowering vine there enfolding 
with its verdant tendrils the ghastly skull and 
the scattered bones of the slain and the emblems 
of life there standing in contrast and in mockery 
beside the horrid emblems of death and decay. 
And man has seemed as heedless in such matters 
as inanimate nature. The poetic Byron stood 
aghast at the profusion in which the flowers 
bloomed on the blood-enri:hed field of Waterloo 



LOUrSIANAIS 115 

while "his more callous countrymen have gazed 
untouched on their many battle fields sirewn 
with the bones of brothers; and unfeelingly trans- 
ported the carnage of Plevna into their gardens 
as a fertilizer. 

But signs of progress are manifest. The two 
leading nations of our modem civilization have 
lecLntly resorted once more to bloodshed and war 
as the arbiter of their differences, but at the same 
time we must remember that eacbof them rules 
in peace as great a realm as was the civilized 
world in olden times, and each of them, in con- 
junction with the other leading nations, have 
taken the most advanced ground the world has 
yet known in the interest of peace by establish- 
ing an International Court of Arbitration; and 
from traciticn and prophecy we still have the 
assurance that man will yet forsake his ancient 
course and no longer commit such stupendous 
follies and crimes as have the ni.tions of old and 
those of later date, on their fields of blood. Be- 
sides nature herself in effacing the marks of 
?trife, and counteracting the arts of destruction 
imparts a potent lesson On the smiling battle- 
plain, late the scene cf wars revolting ho^Tors, 
but again, after this, reinvested with a mantle of 
verdtire and bedecked with flowers, we are most 
impressed by the poet's lines: 



ii6 LOUISIANAIS 

''H 'vv strikingly the course of nature shows, 
By it^s light heed of hum:in suffering, 
That this was fashioned for a perfect world.'^ 
With regard to a golden age lingering some- 
wiiere in the future, I am not disposed, in the 
light of modern events, to dispute what has been 
a proph?(-3^ and a tradition in all ages. Through- 
out history is found, along with the memory of a 
past paradise, the hope of a paradise to be re- 
gained. The Hebrew prophet from his remote 
station in the past, beheld, through the vista of 
ages, and on the shore of a renewed Eden, that 
which had been a prime article of his patriachal 
faith; the blest yet long delayed period, when 
eternal wisdom shall judge the earth and when 
the nations shall beat their swords into plough- 
shares and their spears into pruning-hooks- 
Even the uninspired Virgil sang of ''the bright 
era when the golden age shall over all the world 
arise," .^nd with his prophetic visions of the fu- 
ture gained his reputation as: 
''Chanter of the Pollio, glorying in the blissful 

years again to be, 
Summers of the snakeless meadow, unlaborious 

earth and oarless sea" 
It is but reasonable to presume that perfect and 
perpetual peact will be one result of our final 
victory on the battleo^round of nations. 



LOUISIANAIS 117 

It is but reasonable to presume that the great- 
est of blessings will be among the first-fruits of 
our final success in that strife, whose chief aim 
should be a more perfect life. And yet the 
subject we have chosen, the prophetic world- 
struggle of Armageddon, does not convey the 
idea that the coming and most perfect social state 
will be super-induced or heralded by a period of 
inactivity, or of inglorious quieti.de, but the con- 
trary. From that subject w^e are rather led to 
believe in the inspiration of the bard who wrote 
with referance to that period, that: 

"It shall come in strife and toil, 
It shall come in blood and spoil, 
It shall come in empires' groans, 
Burning teniphs, trampled thrones." 
We are not to believe either that the final goal of 
our hopes wall le the realm of luxurious idleness 
or the poetical and mythical cockaigne. That 
ideal sphere is n<a fittingly typifiecl by '^the land 
of Loto'=', with its flowery coast." Says a philos- 
ophical French statesman: "whether in humanity 
or nature, the only organisms that have a durable 
existence and effect, are those that are born in 
pain and developed by strife." But whatever be the 
true nature of that promised era of happiness, the 
poet's golden age, and the Beulahof John Bunyan, 



ii8 LOUISIANAIS 

we liold only the prophetic Armageddon, the 
worldwide, and decisive conflict of our race, con- 
veys a fitting notion of the great events, peaceful 
and industrial as well as warlike, that liave been 
transpiring in the modern world. 

In discussing this phase of our subject; in 
picturing the prophetic Armageddon, whether of 
the present or of coming times, we wish to call 
attention to the fact that the pasturt-land of the 
Son of Amor, on which transpired an epitome of the 
wars of old, is no longer great or broad enough 
to serve as a battleground of the mordern na- 
tions 01" as a fitting stage for the conflicts of our 
times. In view of this fact it seems likely that 
the Apocalpytic writer made use of that battle- 
ground of the ancients as a type or symbol of 
some greater and grander field that should be- 
corhe the battleground of nations in the future. 
And while discussing as our subject today; the fair 
valley of Jezrecl, the garden-spot of Gallilee, 
with iis ancient river and its mountain walls; I 
involuntarily dream of that greater and grander 
valley of the west, which has been called the 
garden of the w^orld, whose ancient river is the 
.Father of Waters himself; within whose ample 
bounds ten thousand Esdraelons might be inclu- 
ded, and upon whose mighty stage the nations of 
the world seem collectmg as if in preparation for 



LOUISIANAIS 1 19 

the great and final day of the "Lord. At any rate 
whether the prophet so intended or noi, it seems 
to be a fact that, instead of flower}^ Jezreel, the 
workVs greatest valley, constitnting as it does 
the principal factor of the world's greatest na- 
tion, is destined to be the future battle-ground of 
our kind. It seems probable moreover that the 
conflict that shall then decide the destiny of our 
race will not be a conflict of arms, but an indus- 
trial and an intellectual struggle. The arms 
that will be wielded in that conflict with 7110 st ef 
feet will not be tl^e sword or spear, or the deadly 
firearms of modern warfare; but the wander- 
working inventions of modern science; whose ob- 
ject will be improvement and progress, rather 
thcin death and destruction. In that struggle it 
will be demonstrated that the pin is mightier 
than the sw^ord. In that struggle, instead of the 
scythe-armed war-chariot we behold the iron- 
horse of commerce; and inste id of the plumed 
and steel-cU.d knight, on barbed steed, wield- 
ing battle-axe anc spear; we find a more poten- 
tial and beneficent hero in the scientific student 
of nature's mysteries, wielding a wand of magic 
and revolutionizing our modes of life. 
The heroine and Deborah of our modern Esdrae- 
lon is the American spirit'of liberty; and not even 
the martial heroine of old Israel, invoking the God 
of Hosts, and calling on "the stars in their cour- 



I20 LOUISIANAIS 

ses" to fight against the oppressors of her coun- 
try; presented a more inspiring figure than does 
our Columbia to-day liberating the New World 
from oppression, and well-nigh revolutionizing 
the Old World by the influence of her example. 
We may not fully appreciate the grandeur of the 
institutions that over-shadow us, and the beauty 
and perfection of our system of states; that the 
solar system with it's central sun and it's planeta- 
ry orbs of light, has an antitype, and not an un- 
worthy oae, in our mighty central government, 
encircled with sovereign states; and that the fa- 
bled melody of the spheres should find a counter- 
part in tht harmony of half a hundred republics 
chanting together, through the ages, their songs 
of uniity and fraternity. We may not fully re- 
alize or properly appreciate all the blessings thus 
bestowed upon us. I am not a prophet, nor 
the son of a prophet, yet me thinks I may truth- 
fully affirm that ages and millenniums hence, an 
appreciative and exalted humanity will still ac- 
knowledge tlieir indebtedaess to the great Ameri- 
can Republic for its correct sjlution of the chief 
problem of human government by establishing 
as its chief corner-stone, the civil and religious 
liberty of the people, from which notable event 
they will ^>erhaps date the progressive civilization 
of our race. 

We may not fully appreciite the fact but it 



LOUISIANAIS 121 

srems true nevertliless that our country is to be, 
in one sense, the battle-ground of nations; that 
here probabl}^ the fate of the human race is to be 
decided: the fact that here man has taken his po- 
sition on a higher plane, and is waging a more 
successful and glorious struggle than ever before. 
It hardly admits of question that in our Great 
Republic are to be decided issues that involve the 
well-being of the human race, and such being the 
case, it seems but a reasonable interpretati<»n of 
scripture to Z3.y that within its bounds will be lo- 
cated the Armageddon of prophecy and that the 
narrow vale of Jezreel might after all have been 
but a type and s3mbol of that Great Valley of the 
West which, in all probability, is t'« be the scene 
of the final and decisive conflict of mankind. I 
am disposed to think that our great country 
will accomplish the solution of the problem of 
hi. man government, and with it as a leader and 
exemplar, the world will yet witness the reign of 
universal and perpetual peace. 

Since the father sage pictured his imaginary Re- 
public of IvOve, the advocates of human perfecti- 
bility have never been so numerous and hopeful 
as now; and considering the wonderful progress of 
the last century, what thinking man will dare say 
that at the end of such another era, frail human- 
ity may not occupy heights and boast of perfec- 
tions which are now unattained and unattainable. 



122 LOUISIANAIS 

Bdward Bellamy, in his roinirkihle aiul })' opliet- 
ic work, Lookin<4* Bickward, ii:ives us rational and 
realistic views of the life oF a century hence; when 
most of th^ evils of our s:)cial state shall liwe 
been er idiciled; when wars and rumors of wars 
shall r.o lou^'^r previil; when tlie love of 
mo ie\', tlie root of all evil, sh ill have been sup- 
pi nit^l by the love of justice and riejii; when 
wealth an 1 poverty shall no 'ono■^Lr give risr- to 
differences and distinctioiis: and, in view of the 
fact that some of his most remarkable pn)phecies 
seem or. the point of fulfillment, who will say 
that his dreams and visions may not be substan- 
t^'ally realized; even though, like most prophets, 
he may view the future/ 'as through a glass, dark, 
ly," and prove in error possioly, as to details. 

MiU')n wrote that God's object in the creation 
of miiikind was to rear an angelic race to supply 
the places of the fallen angels; and in spite of 
th • curse of sin and death., it seems we ma}' 3^et 
he a, 1.^ in sonu measure to raise ourselves" to the 
ang'die stand ird. In spite (/f the curse of sin 
an 1 de.vth the okl earth may yet fulfill Milton's 
discription of the earthly piradise, and become: 
A happy rural se:U of various view; 
Of groves wiios. trees weep od'roas gum and balm, 
Others whose fruit, huriiislied with golden rind, 
H Tig ami ible, hesp aa in fables true: 
Fl ).v.'i's of ;ill hues and, without thorn, the rose. 



LOUISIANAIS 123 

When tlie genius of Bulwer undertook to por- 
tray our race as itwill be in the future, while he 
indulged in some burlesque in that connection, the 
picture he presented of beings of ethereal beau- 
ty, soaring on wings of light, each brandishing 
a wonder-working wand capable of destroying 
the proudest city at a stroke; was much upon the 
order of Milton's description of the hosts of heav- 
en. In that work too, he portrayed the American 
as the most progressive of men, and his gr^at 
commonwealth as the most perfect of stales. 
Such then is to be the goal of our endeavors, and 
the rew'^rd that will attend our final victory 
on th*^ battle-ground of nations. At any rate, 
while standing as we do today on our great mod- 
ern Esdraelon, observing the signs of the times 
there presented for our observation, with the mil- 
lions of our race there struggling and striving 
onward and upward, with the words cf the Peace- 
maker resounding amid the din as forcefully as 
ever; we have some reason for hope in the future 
of our race and can exclaim with the philosophic 
Carlisle. '^Deep anc sad is the ff-eling that we 
stand yet in the bodeful night, yet equally deep 
and indestructible is the assurance that the 
morning also will n.ot fail." 



IV;., ' ^> — ffV«- (Hr^ iT^^ 'firv- "ir^-^ ~6~tr>- - -tj^ -^oiS^ -^o'^ ---tTO ~^tS~^ ^-tT^ --^^ '^TTirJ 



A I^A^^ /<? 5c?// sleep zve give oiir selves away, 

• i ^ 

^^ ^^(i in a dream a'^ in a ^aif"v bark . 

'•■■i^ (DriH on and on throug-Ji the enchanted dark ^* 






ta. • 



^^ To fur pie daybreak==little thought we pay '^ 

^\ To that sweet hitter world we know by day . ^'^ 

<H» All-. '^^' 

^' Aldrich rjj^ 

~s-tr~~ "&>>. >>»-. 'ir»~~ "S^^ ^~»^ ir»^ ^-a^ ,-<tS --tr5 --<^ — <TS ..-tfnS ^-otS ■t>J 



LOUISIANALS 125 



Chap. X. La Vente et La Motte; 

Or, 
The Encounter with Bigotry and Tyranny. 



Whence and what art thou, execrable shafe? 

Milton. 

Again we approach onr Ville de Immobile, 
And, unpoetic sound! a war of words 
Arrests us and as we approach more near, 
We observe our hero assailed obstreperously 
By his enemies, La Vente and La Motte, 

Perchance 'twere meet that this illustrious pair, 
Ju?tfy immortal, not for strength indeed. 
Nor virtue, but for vanity supreme: 
Should, like the Thersites of Homer's song, 
Be honored, not in episode alone, 
But rather m resounding epopee 
Their folly will a fitting foil approve 
Unto the virtue?^: of our youthful chief 
Of lofty name, the Lion of the South, 
And show him worthy of our votive song. 
We observe him first, in loving fellowship 
With hero-forms, sharing their fame: but now, 
A Raphael . no more in Gabriel's train; 
Moving alone and eke confrojited by 
The fiend in reptile or in native form. 



126 LOUISIANAIS 

It seems, in sooth, a mark of merit high 

That he stood thus, opposed relentlessly, 

By tliose fell forms, La Vente and La motte. 

One, the incarnation of the despot foul. 

The other, of the bigot, fouler still. 

With heaven-bright beams we'd flood the gloom 

profound. 
Where only such foul forms of evil bide. 
Assist us then, soft- voiced Calliope! 
Till we, like thy lamented Linus, sing; 
Or like thine Orpheus, with melody, 
If needful, move the listening rocks and trees. 
We invoke, too, all thy attendant sisterhood 
To uphold our hand and make our fragile pen 
As mighty as the sword, or even as 
The upraised javelin of old Amram's son 
Stretched toward the enemies of God and man. 
As the stern judge of Israel destroyed 
Lochisli and Libnah in the dnys of old. 
So would I smite, and utterly destro}', 
The despot and the bigot eijiblemed here. 
What if tliose forms be now inanimate, 
rd raise them, ruthless quite, to public view, 
And execration, and to obloquy consign; 
Even as stern Joshua the dead kings, reviled, 
Huj.g them on trees, and then, at set of sun, 
Blocked them forever in makkedah s cave. 



LOUISIANAIS 127 

After contemning thus those foes of man, 
Would I might say with reference to their race, 
To cur compatriots, as did Israel'? chief. 
What time the captains of his men of war 
Trod on the necks of kings: ^^Be of good cheer, 
Thus will God do to all your enemies." 

Much we rejoice to find such sentiments 
Expressed in substance, by that youthful chief, 
The American, true-born, who even then 
Sustained the rights of man, and held as foes, 
LaMctte, the governor, that lightly scoffed 
At liberty of action and of speech; 
And fell La Vente that with wrath insane 
Even on that shore, had fain subverted truth 
And reason with the fagot and the stake. 
<^)ur muse would thus, upon her ample page 
Portray these threatening, although fleeting 

shades. 
Of midnight hue and countenance deformed, 
And 'gainst that shad'wy back-ground full-relieved 
Paint the ju5t figure of the American, 
Tho' 3^outhful .-^till, the friend of liberty; 
Whose merit doth her votive song engage. 
The historian paints our hero's adversaries, 
The fiend La Vente and the fool La Motte; 
And since this is no dream-born phantasy^ 



128 LOUISIANAIS 

We but traiisciibe their portraits ready-made; 

The first of these being that of M. La Motte. 

A Gascon he, and given to gasconade. 

For which sufficient reason we may doubt 

His boastful claim of ancient lineage, 

Of castles and estates; albeit we accept 

The chronicler's plain statement that his lands 

Included a few arpents by Garonne; 

That his chateau, so called was squat and low, 

Its single tower the haunt of kites and crows, 

And hence known as Cadillac's rookery. 

His mind, as narrow as his quaint estate, 

'Tis scarce surprizing that he deemed his Mood 

Of quality supreme, and his thin frame 

An incarnation of nobilty. 

Inspired with such vain thoughts, we wonder not 

To see his form emaciate, rod-like straight. 

And rigidly eiect. Behold him then. 

On high occasions, strutting forth in state, 

A feudal lord, forsooth, he passes through 

Ville d'Immobile to it's rustic council-hall. 

With air of majesty grotesque, he wears 

A long-flapped vest, a coal of rainbow hue 

Embroidered with passants of faded gold. 

And graced besides with wide, expansive tails; 

O'er all a wide chapcau and woudrous wig 

Whose curls spread forth as if iu conscious pride, 

Picture of vanity! Invidious shape! 



LOUISIANAIS 129 

Did not his face a worse estate denote 
And eke suggest the title of Sir Fool. 
"'Twas there our hero approached this Brummel 

gay, 
Gro^vn gra3^ in years but not in wisd- »ni's ways. 
Despite their controversies, with due form 
And courtly grace he greeted that rare chief. 
And thus addressed him there: '^Monsieur La 

Motte: 
Our citizens assembled in due form, 
Present through me this fair memorial 
Demanding natural rights and liberties, 
And therewithal that all such vested claims. 
As limitate those natural liberties. 
Be annulled, or else, most stringently construed. 
This they demand for here the people rule." 
At this La Motte in horror stood aghast. 
At length in open-eyed astonishment, 
*'Mon Dieu,^' he loudly exclaimed: ''Decidedly, 
This colony's a monster without head 
Or tail: and" he continued, gathering warmth, 
^'It's government a strange absurdity. 
The people rule, forsooth! What, then, do I? 
Am I not, as their governor ordained. 
An emanation from le Roi Soleil, 
And clothed, as 'twere, with the reflected beams 
Of his divine authoritv? Prithee, 
Will they not bow unto the Sun-King here? 



i^o LOUIvSIANAIvS 

Oi- reverence me, as his true antitype? 
"Tis not the people, but myself that rules, 
ly'Etat c'est moi" Then Jean respectful still, 
Hut with a smile, replied: "Monsieur La Motte, 
This colony, so far removed from France, 
Scarce feels the radiance of the Sun-King's throne. 
This wildling of the wilderness scarce knows 
The name of king. This fact is known in France, 
And thou art by express injunctions warned 
This whim to ob.scrvc, and treat with due regard. 
Therefore I say, and once again, repeat. 
That here the peopl-r rule". That shibboleth, 
The accust(>mcd one of our great nation now, 
Was lisped even, then wlien in its swaddling- 
clothes; 
And he tint o'er its cradle watched, and with 
Such views inspired the infant Hercules, 
Albeit a 3^outh of maiden grace well-nigh, 
Is worth}^ of our reverence and our song. 
In his fair face and beaming eye we observe 
A native dignity and depth profound. 
An aspect heaven-inspired, that eke recalls 
Another tyro, of immortal fame. 
Whose pen, guided by liigher powers, decreed 
Our country free, and therewithal mayhap, 
Tiie emancipation of all human-kiiid. 



LOUISIANA IS 131 

Then M. La Motte peru^^ed the document 

Seditious to his e} e and, rising wrathfnlly, 

Exclaimed: "Freedom of action and of speech, 

The 3^ would he free t<. ^siemble and in form 

Proclaim sedition; and besides would go 

And come at pleasure to and from this shore, 

And at their pleasure thus depopulate 

The king't poj^sessions. Wot you not, dear s^r, 

That such seditious utterances expressed 

In France this day, albeit by noble lords, 

Would call forth sundry lettres-de-cachet 

Imuiuiing all sucli in tlieir hardihood, 

in ihe Chateau Bastille?" Then Jean replied: 

*'l deem it well, Monsieur, that on tins shore 

Ls fci.nd no dark Eastilk; that these grim 

wilds 
Encircling us. as 'twere, with arms outstretched, 
Welcome each exile from the a< curst abodes 
Of despotism; granting each and all 
The unbounded freedom of the world of shade. 
And I affirm that if oppression here 
Upraise its hydra-head, 'twill but disperse 
These couriers-de-bois. As well set bounds 
To the migrations of the brand-goost here, 
Or rule- the sea gull's wanderings, as confine 
These tanrdess spirits of the wilderness." 



132 T.OUIvSIANMvS 

But at those words incensed, Monsieur La Motte, 
Leaped from liis rliair of state, and thundering 

creid: 
^'Avaunt, I lion forest-1;(jrn republican, 
Tims puerile in ihy state-craft:" "and", thus too. 
The attendant priest, La Vente, shrilly cried: 
"As in thy slate-craft lax, sD in thy faith 
vS/liisni itic and rtniiss. Full wdl thou knowest 
Not even on easter-day hast lliou applied 
I 'or Holy.vSaeiamer.t. A vaunt, I say". 
And then in turn La Motte raffing exclaimed: 
"Such foul sedition well entitles thee 
To it's extreme and proper ])enalty, 
And thou, accordingly, should'sl be forthwith, 
In sunder sawed"; La Vente fiercer still, 
With epileptic rage more loudly sli rilled: 
"And for thy wonted sin of heresy 
Thou sliould'sL be held accursed and at the stake 
Accordingly consumed." Thus then they raged. 
L'l Me)tte, more violent gre)\\'ii, at length adv.'ine''eel 
lii act to st]-ike' the object of his rage. 
The lattei- lUv-anvvdiile' lookeel with dignity 
Upon the fiaiUie jKvir. Hut even then, 
A maid.Mi fair, albiMt the- ehild alleged 
Of M. La Motte, apjK'ared upon the scene. 
Lo\'ing our Jean aloiii her sire she- threw 
Her aims in siij)plicat ion, and nu>;in\\hile 
His strength e)Vi\ame, aiiel eke his wrath 



LOrivSJANAIS 133 

restrained. 
So effectually she calmed his threatening rage, 
That he even sat and heard with dne regard, 
As thns the youth resumed: '^In .^(X)th, Mes- 
sieurs, 
These ebullitions are but childish moods; 
I fauli not the great king, whom I've obeyed 
In each relation heretofore sustained. 
His noble traits I esteem and eke regret 
His course of late the dotard's hand betrays. 
As for your threatening speech, decrepit men, 
Full well ye know that ye are powerless. 
And that the leash of savages I guard, 
Once loosed upon, would desolate this shore, 
And eke subject you to as horrid forms 
Of vengeance as your cruel hearts suggest. 
I show the mercy ye w^ould fain deny. 
I heed you not, but rather those fell shapes 
That ye would thus embody and assume. 
The despot and the bigot, hell-born pair! 
T\vin progeny of Erebus and Night. 
Hideous as those dread spectra darkly-limned. 
By Milton's pencil, at the gote of hell; 
Satan and Death, the enemies of man. 
One, with fell dart, thveat'ning the fragile life. 
And one, the soul, with penitential pains. 
Such are the ministers that your hearts; that 
The despot and the bigot w^ould employ. 



134 LOUISIANAIS 

And to what end? To bind humanity 
In chains of error still: to arrest the car 
Of human progress in its race sublime. 
Aye truly, such their obvious end and aim. 
The narrow mind, that doth aspire to rule 
And lord it o'er his subject fellowman^ 
To attain that object, must perforce degrade 
It's fellows, and their equal rights deny; 
Must keep the people prostrate still and prone 
While of their wealth and substance foully ac- 
quired, 
It TZ3.rs a temple to its vanity, 
And to maintain that dignity supreme. 
Must keep it's servitors degraded still, 
Is't fitting that to accomplish Fuch designs 
Stern laws be enacted or grim death invoked 
To enforce their mandates harsh? Nay, verily. 
Therefore, dread shape, I bid you hence depart, 
And take with you, like Satan in his flight 
From Eden, all the bodeful shades of night. 
But if the dread form of despotism 
Be foul and full of evil, what of that 
Justly regarded as it's evil shade? 
At least it's dread co-laborer and co-mate, 
In striving thus to subjugate the race, 
At once the person and the mind of man; 
Aye, what of bigctry? Intolerance! 
Proof ;^ositive «)f false and evil cause; 



LOUISIANAIS 135 

That lights the martyr's pyre, and with its glare 

Reveals liow deep and dark the savagery 

That yet enshrouds the sphere. 'Neath whose 

spell, 
The enlightened with the savage nation vies 
In fiendish cruelty. Dread bigotry! 
That on the eve of St Bartholomew, 
Even in earth's most aspiring capital 
Startled the earth, and shocked all human-kind 
With three-score thousand midnight murders. 

Aye, 
Intolerance, thou foul, incarnate fiend! 
Denioniac' I say to thee, avaunt! 
Quit this fair shore, nor dare exhibit here 
Thy dragon shape, fit only to support 
A despot's throne, or haunt a sin-cursed land. 
These horrid shapes are but the evil pair 
That held our race as in a nightmare thralled 
Throughout the glooni}^ ages haply past. 
Hence, gorgon shapes! I do forewarn you now, 
Your reign is past. Upon this favored ^hore 
Will rise ere long the sun of liberty; 
The light of life with healing in its wings. 
He ceased and 'mid the encomiums of his freres, 
He scarce observed the threatenings of his foes. 
In his bold form I observe the fitting tj^pe 
Of that young nation, potent-grown and strong, 
Fearless of evil in its youthful prime, 



136 LOULSIANAIS 

That hails the coming dawn, and with just laws 
Reflects it's o^lory o'er a brightening earth; 
That girds the new world with a bow of hope 
And as its fitting watchward bears aloft, 
The epitome of philosophic dreams, 
Isommios, embodying equal rights, 
With civic and religious liberty. 



Chap. XI Lk Chkvauivr ht le Cure. 

Homeward repairing from the field of strife 
Jean found his foes no longrr in command, 
Those foes relentless that had nic.dethe life 
Of Immobile full trying, 'neath whose hand 
The infant state had been with evils rife, 
While constant turmoil had opprest the* land. 
He found his foes were humbled, in good fay. 
And hors du combat, as the Frenchmen say. 

Lamotte, the chief, the deadliest foe of all. 
Whose will had been supreme, had fallen so low 
He could no more tlie citizens appal, 



LOUISIANAIS 137 

By his threatening moods; yet every wind doth 

blow 
Some one a blessing, and Cadillac's fall 
On Jean again the honors did bestow. 
Dame Fortune's wheel revolving suddenly 
Placed him above his ancient enemy. 

We find Jean straightway in most jovial mood 
In concert with his boon companions three, 
In mischief all of equal aptitude, 
Engaged in merry-makings loud and free. 
Hard by the entrance of the tavern rude 
They sat and sang beneath a spreading tree. 
A rude board in their midst sustained, as 'twere, 
The spirits of the youths assembled there. 

Full many a mirthful ditty they intoned, 
And even impelled the juge-du-paix to smile. 
Albeit of course the dismal cure groaned 
And muttered prayers i^nd crossed himself the 

while. 
'Naiheless, as poets write, it must be owned 
Most jovially did they the hours beguile. 
But when they observed thi approach of M. la 

Motte, 
Each mirthful swain imbibed first of the pot 

Of simmering ale, then sang with serious air^ 
A song, le Chevalier de la Veau d'Or. 



1^8 LOUISIANAI& 



'Twas pen-d b}^ some unbriddled poet there, 
The hero in question being no knight of yore, 
But M. Le Motte, ^^ho did its honors share 
With Don Quixote, old and ne'er before 
Approached in frailty or in folly. He, io i i. 
Upon our shore thus suffered rivalry. ' -^ ' ^-'-^ 

Xhe Knight of the: GoMen Calf. 
The knight of the doleful coAintenance 

Did valorous acts and deeds galore, ;. 
And of like strength and puissance -: ;:;} rn^j;v 

Is our chevalier de la veau d'or. . . 
The knight of the doleful counteiiiante, 

'Gainst- wind-niills fought and shed his gore: 
Such direful strife, such sufferance^ 

Hath our chevalier de la veau d.'or. 
The knight of the doleful countenance 

On Merlin's steed in thought did soar, 
While moyelessjSxed, e'en so perchance, :■ 

Doth our chevalier de la veau d'or. 

The knight of the doleful countenance 

Crop-eared,, and tooth-less, sad and sore, 
Irom battle came: so fate's -mischance 

Marred our chevalier de le veau d'or. 
The knight of the doleful-eountenance 

Sufficed to amuse the men of 3 ore. 
Let some ciirvantes cf romance 

Paint cur chevalier de la veau d'or. 



r^.;." 



LOUiSLANAIS- - 139 

Ne'er could our muse Cadillac's wrath portray 
And hopeless quite she'd scarce attempt a role 
So difficult; .suffice it then to say . 
'Twas evident it ''harrowed up his. soul;" 
Albeit he proved unable to repay 
The singer*! or such talents to control. 
As easy 'twere to dim the suns of June, 
'Or bite," said he, "a slice from off the moon," 

While thus they sang a wandering harper came 
Low-bowed beneath his mammoth, corded lyre; 
Drawing near he planted and attuned the same, 
While his fair daughter stood beside her sire, 
Prepared to sing antl^ wake withal the flame 
Of love in youthful hearts. Tho' in plain attire 
The maid possessed a face and figure fair, 
And pleased the youthful knights assembled 
thtre. 

To attract attention surely^ without fail, 
A song of knightly Bayard she essayed. 
So daintily she smoothed her farthingale 
And soon her eloquence in song displayed. 
With swift success did she the heart assail, 
And of our youths an easy conquest made. 
No easier one e'er • graced -le bon chevalier. 
'Twas thus she sang the knight without a peer. 



HO LOUISIANAIS 

Le Boil Chevalier. 

Fain would our song 
A lofty subject brochc, 

Le Bon Chevalier, 
Sans peur et sans reproche^ 

The Bayard plumed, 
Deathless, of world renown, 

Could scorn vain gold. 
And even the regal crown. 

And ne'er could such 
Enhance his dread and fear, 

The man of steel, 
The knight without a peer. 

Our hero still. 
Albeit a man of blood, 

Was not more great 
Than he was pure and good. 

In sun^bright mail, 
And snowy plumes bedight; 

His honor, as his arms. 
Was ever fair and white. 

Loudl}^ the youths encored. Again she sang. 
El Conquistador. 
Bold wanderer, in burnished mail, 
Treading our new-found sphere, 
Opening to us our mystic vale. 
Deathless, forever dear, 



LOUISIANAIS 141 

To memory is the heroes name; 

So haply shall be thine; 
The conquests that exalt thy fame 

On Vega's page they shine. 
Thy soul of daring and the lance, 

Esteemed the pride of Spain, 
These that shall gladden fa^r romance 

Let not the muse disdain. 
But were thy conquests but a dream 

Thy name will dcathbss be. 
Aye, Soto; while the Father Stream 

Rolls o'er thee te the sea, 
It's billows shall with endless dole, 

Recall the explorer brave, 
And thou, approved of mighty soul, 

Can'st boast a hero's grave. 

With like success she sang: 
Le Paladin. 

In gliitering arms 
And 'neath the Norman shield, 

The Paladin 
Adorned the martial field 

Most glorious spirit ^ 
In the lists of time, 

The errant knight .. 
Enacting deeds sublime. 



14^' LOUlgMNAIS ^ 

Crested gallant! 
Hail to thy sttel-glad form! 
'Mong death-dealt shafts 
Impervious to the storm; 
Qr wandering far, 
* On many a well-fought field 
''Waging just war, - 
While kings their homage yield, 

Undying spirit' , 

Scathless from the tomb, " 

Still in our van 
Appear thy lance and plume; 

Or if dismantled 
Of the vest of steel, 

That spirit still 
Promotes' the sovran-weal; 

Treads every shore. 
The farthest wilderness 

Saw here revived- 
Deeds bPtrae-khightliness, 

When dauntless roved, 
Unheeding thbtights' of fear, -^^J^" 

The star-led wanderer- 
Through our sylvan sphere. 

Well- worthy even 
The mead of deathless fame. 



LOUISIANAIS : 143 

Much less the cross^ , 

Remotest times will name 

The hero-knight 
That guards the Frather-Stream; 

Yon turbid waves 
His glorious toils beneme: - 

;Hail, Warden bold! 
That 'gainst unfriendly fate,, 

And ills untold, 
Still guards our rising state. 

The singet; paused: the hearers' plaudits rung. 

But presently another song, she raised, 

A. sombre ni clod y, this time, she sung, 

For while .a dawn, that : grass-grp'\^n ^ streeit, • she. 

She ohseryed, approaching there the. tr^es among,' 
The cure^s form; and by his p-.-es-^nce dazed. 
She vaguely strove hi ^ insane' tas^ie to please, 
Or wdth a cioleful chant his wratli to appease. 

Already had the dreaded priest observed 
The town enlivened with her dulcet strain^: 
The cure,., who stiUlielS that vyhoso. swerved 
Irom pious ^yays,. should su.ifer for his pains. 
His presence thus the gentle' maid unnerved, 
And with him ro.^e a vision w^eifd of chains, 
Of witch-craft trials and of manLling fire. 
Such nh hell only, and the 'priest, require. 



144 LOUISIANAIS 

But when the observant cure drew more near 
She paused affrighted; when he reached her side, 
She glanced about and ?aw with deadly fear, 
A face which showed that sorrow would betide; 
A face and narrow forehead did appear 
Becoming one with powers of ill allied. 
The maiden shrieked and from the cure shrank. 
As from a spectre, nerveless all she shrank. 

Into a strong, a manly embrace she fell, 
A face, meanwhile, angelic to her eye. 
Close-hovering, did the power of ill dispel 
By imprinting on her cheek full lovingly 
A burning kiss. Quicker than I can tell 
Our Jean had seen the maid's extremity; 
And springing to her side, his youthful face 
O'er-sun'd with curls, did the evil one displace. 

At this the maniac priest his hands upheld, 
In horror and his righteous wrath out-poured. 
The kiss of innocence he thus beheld 
To his demoniac temper did afford 
Pretrxt for wrath; but Jean his ragings quelled, 
And to the maid her wanted sense restored. 
By such fond labors did our country's sire, 
Upbuild the state and wake the poet's lyre. 



LOUISIANAIS 145 

Now must I tell, and picture in good fay, 

The strangest feature of this episode. 

As the iair maid awoke beneath the light oid3.y, 

Albeit fair] 3^ vestured, a la mode, 

In European habits; strange to say. 

Her wakening charms the native princess showed: 

And Jean beheld, albeit pale and wan, 

With wond^n ng awe behrld Louisiane. 

Albeit he respected her disguise, 

For love of him assumed, and knowing well 

To mention it would foil her enterprise; 

Her evident desire with him to dwell, 

In shape assumed; he vanquished his surprize, 

Aug her reputed sire did there compel 

With tempting terms, and glittering gold withal, 

To abide with him in his baronial hall. 




146 LOUISIANAIS 

Chap. XII 
Le Cour et la Camp. 



^-Ijui iVlt djui diioii a knii^ht iz'OHiJ fass 
Outward and inward to tht hall; x 

And out of bower and casement shyly glanced 
Eyes of fure women, wholesome stars of lovr 

'J' enn i'son. 



Another morn, before a iiew-iiiade hall, 
Beside tlie Father-Stream, our hero sat. 
A frequent smile his sunbrowned faee illumed; 
For there, at last, in his chef-lieu, so called, 
Despite the king's decree, he sat in r.ta^e. 
Determined, from his coming, to erect 
In those fair groves the city of his dreams, 
Witli the great stream agleam before it'A towers, 
And the calm lake bright-glittering in it's rear; 
He freely stretched the brief authority. 
Then grudgingly bestowed, and builded there. 
And gladly occupied that rustic seat. 
Tjc muse would pause to v:"e\v that pristine bower, 
Walled, as 'tis said, with cypress logs rough- 
hewn: 
Poc f.d with latanier leaves, and placed midwa}^ 



LOUISIANAIS 14 



H/ 



A dell-like opening of the moss-hung grcves; 
While roiinc it in the vista'd woodland rose 
The palm-thatched lodges of autochthenes, 
Of similar, yet more primeval form. 
Such was our hero's sylv^m capital; 
A relic seemingly of Arcady, 
And fitl}^ set in grey, saturnian shades. 
Lycaeon's kingdom where the grisly wolf 
Still roamed and reigned was not more wild, I 

ween ; 
Yet fair that seat, and more romantic far 
Than Arthur\s city in his wasted land, 
^rhan Camelot in ancient Cameliarc . 
Far western Arcady! on the fair day 
Whereof we sing, poetic episodes 
Of sylvan life and love wert there observed, 
Well vvorrhy of the Aicady of old. 
A score of maidens, gay and debonair 
As daik eyed maidens of the Rhone or Loire 
Are wont to be, unto our hero's haunt 
Lent beauty and romance. The casket-girls, 
Those honored mothers of our forest-land, 
Sent by the Sun-King to enchant the foresters 
With smiles of love, made our staid bachelor's 

hall, 
Oui(*t before, a bcnver of romance. 
Fiom base to rustic roof ablaze with bloom, 



148 LOUIvSlANAlS 

Twas eke .'is fair as that flcnver-scented seat 

Reared, as 'tis said, by l\vc in paradise. 

In troops, ere lon^, the enelianted partis came. 

Not since tlic snitors throni>-ed Odyssens' isle, 

And wooed Penelop:^ despite her tears, 

Was ever conrt by Cupid so bcset. 

'Twas called in fact, appropriately called, 

By am )ron.s belles and beaux, le Conr d' Amour. 

( )n that soft .'■diore, 'mid flowers and lii.fiit-\ving'ed 

](^V(S, 

Jnr hero's hamlet was as blesj:ed, I ween. 

As that of the explorer, love enthralled. 

In fl:)\ver-\vreathed haunts, 'neath pilmy SL-a-,:^irt 

LH'oves, 
H)- 1 he browr. beauties of Tahiti's isle. 
Hard by the rustic castle of our chief, 
'Meath oaks broad branchiuo-^ the quaint vestiges, 
()f the Iiuban \illap;e, tliou|:j^]i in '.ubis stood. 
As statec"!, cots roofed with palmetto leaves. 
Worthy of Arcady or South-Sea isle, 
V^acant and ruined then, were there disclosed: 
In truth the structures of his capital 
Were of the same Arcadian form and .'■tyle. 
There 'neath the shade, while yet the moqueur's 

song, 
Suggested drvanis of bliss, the harper sat; 
His instrnmeu: antl fair Iv')uisiane 



LOUISIANAIS 149 

Beside him, soon the court of love drew near, 
(^ur Jean amon^ tlieni and delii^htcd heard, 
As lo the harp the mystic maiden sang: 

Song. 

< )n this Indian ground, 'mid this dream -haunted 
air, 
Ma}^ our hearts a rude monitor heed; 
For tiie science cf r-arth cannot silence dull care, 

And our gold hul increases (>ur need; 
And our temples and fanes cannot render more 
fair 
Simple virtue, or love's hallowed creed: 
While the palm-shelteied homes in tlie wide 
southern seas, 
The worn sailor's elysiums prove; 
While the Indian's lodge 'mid the woodland's 
thick trees, 
With the summer's blue heaven above; 
y\nd the Bedouin's: tent in the green oases, 
Have o'er-canopied rapti.re and love. 

Charmed by the zozo's notes, again she sang: 

Le Moqueur. 
On his summer-bright shore doth the philomel, 

As adream in a fairyland seem, 
There the roseate dawn wakes his madrigal, 

While ab )ve the f)right day-stars beam; 



ISO 



LOUISIANAIS 



'Muu^ llu" nirlil llowcrs w.ikini'. his li.iiil call 
Is yrl liR'C'L for an ulyl's iIkiiic 

VWird a '. notes of i lir spir't-loni'^iu'd niaiiilo; 

Swecl as ()icM('\s lUdckc i\'; 
v*^|) >i"l i\c l^c'lio, llic sounds llial lioiii j^ic Mi-W'oods 
How, 

And llir hirds and llicir )o\ oiis j' K-c, 
And (lie lia|>|)\' |)asl , and 1 IK' l<>ni^ -'K^N 

Alt' u'\i\i-(l m ili\' niinslrc ls\'. 

In the radiant jdow of (he nioiids l)iii;1r. l)t;inis, 
( )n lin (acsi ol llic spriniL; lolu'd tix-c, 

In a j)\ilionu- tranec llial iii^lil InMirc seems, 
l*^liltnn' l)no\'anl willi (c\slae\'; 

VVliat en; aj)! mini; visions oi I'oKKai dieanis 
IIa\(' ,"■ o dee])l\- emlianled llut'.'* 

1 )o,st iei'(djo the bliss of a fairer cdinie, 

< )i I 111 jo\'.s ol 1 ill- world ol oid.'^ 
( )l Ihr far \aiiishe(; ila\s \vcr of hh)od and cMMnie, 

Thai ilhnnir.rd iherfii^n ol i^ohi:^ 
( )l the paradise i)asl, and tilt I'lcen earth 's j)rinie 

' )ot h t he inocdver a talv nnfo!d? 
]).)s[ deri(h' Inrrowed ea re with :h\ j(>yons la\s, 

.\n('. the limit of iM it f foretell? 
( )r remir.dest lorn man of the part he plays? 

WHio in darkness and vlonhl mnsl dwcdl, 
"rdl the lijdit and llie 1 1 1 r of M-illeiiiiial la\ s 

yShall ihf m'.n'ile ol ;.'loom disp. 1. 



LOIMSIANAIS i3^ 

Tluii lookini^- s:i(lly <)ii tlu luiiu-'i town 
And llu' K^^y niockcM- there, n.^'ain sli- saner-. 

Where the vilhi^e arose in llie er;s ])ast, 
. And love n,ve(l tlu- woo^llands );reen; 
Where ih.. ilovwrcLs smile and their eharnis con- 
trast, 
On the ^rave of the lore-t-qneen; 
Hallowed spot! with the ])resenee of death oVi- 
east! 
iCven here the bold nioeker is seen. 

Sinj^er, lienee with thy mirth and thv mimiery: 
Do the flowers of the sonthhmds j^leam? 

ending earth and her graves wilh sneh hla/onry/ 
And the smiles of fair heaven beam; 

And shall life Iv the snbject of pleasantry? 
( )r the i^rave bnt the moeker'^ theme? 

knmois of warfare from his favorite hannt 

Recalled onr ehief and 'mid a wild a.ray 

He sat in armor, in his hall, with n 

The palisade of Fort de Immobile. 

A Freneh ship, lately arrived, riding at ease 

In the wide river at his portal lay.. 

It's V iri<nis i)assen^ers now eame in tnrr. 

And to Bienville, as he sat in stat<^ 

Paid their devoirs. 'Mon^ these a sad-heid erew 

Of Mnt^neno's, that exih-d from fair iManc e 

liv tliL' al)olili(m of the ediet (i Nantes, 



1S2 L(.)1'ISIANA1S 

Now sought periiiission to rebuild their homes 
'Ivlong' tlieir compatriots ou this distaut shore. 
Now, for the second time, they came to learn 
II' l)i!:^'otr\' had 3'et relented, or 
Would grant tliem space, wliere Sj)ace was 3'et so 

\'ast. 
'i^hcir sect, tliroiigl: persecution, th:.u-etofore 
Unrivalled, and their midnight massacre 
On the ev^ of St Bartholouicw, had waked. 
Throughour the w.)rld compassion for their kind. 
At their approach the frere, who sal hard l)y, 
Upheld his hands in horror, and thus showed 
Tile truth of the ''ucient apothegm tliat holds 
'i^lie liolv lialred the n\ost savage still: 
And M. Bienville, b}^ rebuking there 
The m:M-ciless upholder of the cross 
Regardless of ihe tenets of the Christ, 
There sho\\'ed himself a hero in advance 
Of that dread age whereon intolerance, 
With the frll stake, still shed it's baleful glare. 
^ Uir chief, (U spite the edicts cf royalty, 
An( papacy as well,' cast on the recreant priest 
/'v withering glance, 'neath wdiich a hanlier soul 
I lar' hailed and, even as the priesr, recoiled; 
And then, with hand extende:l, and a smile, 
Welcomed the Huguenot with heart-felt joy. 
'Tw.'s (icd's good angel in his form, methinkj-, 
Thai tlius received, u])on our .shore, the opprest. 



' LOUISIANAIS 153 

He affirmed that in this Valley of the West, 
Albeit deemed the abode of savagery, 
No cloud e'er rested of such harrowing gloom 
As that which, sad to say, even at that day, 
O'er-shadowed Europe and her boastful tribes; 
No cloud or gloom so bodeful of all ill 
As the black shade of dread intolerance. 
The Huguenots, through persecution taught 
The justice of such views, loudly affirmed 
Their full assent thereto, and gathering round. 
Hung on his words with rapture and delight. 
Upon the sectaries kindly he gazed 
And, as I deem, a tear bedimmed his eye, 
A pang beset his heart, in looking on 
The sorrows of his exiled countrymen. 
"Aye," he exclaimed, ''behold in me a friend, 
And as your loyal governor henceforth 
Be well assured that like Obeidah old. 
Like the Islamite that practiced tolerance, 
And blest Damascus in her darkest day; 
And by that course made the red Damask-rose 
The emblem divine of brotherhood and love ; 
I Like him I essay to stay the bigot's hand. 
And 'gainst his madness shield the innocent. 
Here roam at will, and should fanatic power 
Molest you, look, I pray, upon this vale; 
Note if the eye can compass it's extremes. 
That widely expanding hold in their embrace 



154 LOUISIANAIS 

A mighty segment of our mundane sphere. 

And know, my brothers, in its wastes are found 

Full sustenance for our afflicted race. 

And therewithal it's long-sought liberty 

Of person and of mind: and know besides, 

That in the future, when the Master of Life, 

A greater than Mohammed, shall stand here, 

As did the prophet by Damascus' vale. 

That mighty one will see these wastes transformed 

Into a paradise fit, haply, for His eye ; 

And 'mong it's beauties will He observe at length 

A blossom lovelier than the Damask-rose, 

Or the artizan's famed flower of gold, silk-wrought, 

That blest the White City of Obeidah's love ; 

Will there behold in lieu of iron creed, 

The tree of Liberty, in life and leaf, 

And thereupon the amaranthine bloom 

Of art and life undreamt of and untold." 

Then to the bugle's notes our chief went forth 

Followed by a bristling formidable throng 

Of fire-locks and of archers famed afar, 

Like Coeur-de-Lion, heading merry-men 

Of Robin Hood; or errant knight of yore, 

Waging wild wars in regions of romance. 

A neighboring nation had defied his power 

And slain besides his fellow country-men. 

In power he moved upon their villages 

And with drawn sword before their sovereigns seat 



Appeared; yet ere the fatal weapon fell, 

He extended, on just terms, the branch of peace; 

Which, gladly accepted, he achieved with joy 

A bloodless victory; such as oft-times 

Shed lustre on a chief whose sylvan wars 

Were oftener waged upon the council-ground. 

Than on the gore-stained field ; a fact sublime. 

Which makes him worthier of a nation's love, 

And of a poet's song, than many a knight 

Of loftier name, that flecked with gory stains 

Of innocent blood, rides o'er the blood-bought field. 

His sylvan fortress, to the native's eye 

Invincible, with log-built walls, rough-hewn, 

Machicolate, and moated palisade ; 

Oft echoed to the jarring clash of arms, 

And steel-clad knights passed to and from its hall; 

Like Arthur's court in mystic days of old. 

Unto the native's eye, that bristling hold 

Was the rude palace of a sylvan king, 

And while the clash of steel far-echoing thence 

His spirit awed, a kindlier influence there 

Attracted his rude heart, and gazing on 

That fortress from encircling woods and wilds-. 

He smiled unwittingly and dreamt with love 

And admiration of the forest-queen 

That there bore sway and wnth her influence mild 

Oft seconded the labors of her lord, 

And with love's arms extended still his reign. 



156 LOUISIANAIS 

What though disguised, while in that hold, she 

moved, 
Each native taciturn knew and revered 
The secret of the woodland's king and queen. 
That secret influence, while it bore his sway 
Even over distant tribes, and gave him oft 
Unwonted influence round their council-fires; 
Oft checked his sword even in it's swift descent 
In vengeance on the naked warrior's head; 
And in the brown hued princess of that race. 
He had, Mercutio-like, good cause to spare 
His sylvan foe whereof the world knew naught. 
Ere long his rival on that bosky shore. 
The Spaniard, in a stronghold like his own. 
But by his sufferance that post retained ; 
And when conflicting interests made them foes, 
Our hero summoned braves of every race. 
And while his fellows from the sea approached 
As if to assault, and thus divert the foe. 
From the surrounding wolds a thousand braves 
With shouts demoniac appalled his powers 
That rushed for safety to their conqueror's arms. 



LOUISIANAIS 157 

Kachmire be Nazeer; 
Or, The Cloud o'er the Happy Valley. 

An Episode. 

The poet's thrice-blest Indian queen. 

Portrayed in his enchanting book, 
As through his mystic dream-gate seen; 

The spangled princess Lalla Rookh; 
Borne onward in her silken car, 

Had yet her griefs however fleet, 
And joys, like fruit of Iscahar, 

Of mingled flavors, bitter-swr-et. 

Her cortege, a fair, jeweled train; 

Her path flower-strewn, bine skies above; 
Her fruitful cause of tears and pain. 

The anguish of a wa3side love. 
A singer in his lowly guise. 

With tender songs had won her heart, 
As even here a lowlier tries. 

And for love\s sake, th? poet's art. 

The daughter of a royal race, 

Her unknown monarch's destined bride. 
She yet had felt lov':'s '^tender grace," 

By the forbidden river's side. 
No beauty now, her soul elates; 

Mournful on Kachmire be Nezeer 
She looks, nor cau it's flowering da^es 
. Sufiice a love-lorn heart to cheer. 



1 68 LOUISIANAJS 

It's stream^; and sacred fountains roll 

Into its lake of palmy isles, 
Yet these cannot enchant her soul, 

Nor even awake her wonted smiles. 
Greived now she contemplates her throne, 

Nor more the di-adtm esteems; 
She sees, she hears the harp alone, 

Of him whom bc-st llie c:own beseems; 

The poet, more than king, I ween; 

E'en though devoid of robe and crown. 
Supreme in realm of glittering sheen, 

And fllb'ng earth with his renown. 
But mark! her grief a glcry proves; 

When that leige-lord she so misdeems, 
Smiles on her, and the veil removes: 

'Tis the sweet singer of her dreams. 

Dull sorrow is the foil of joy. 

As clouds relieve the sun-bright bow. 
And love may thus our griefs employ 

In fashioning a heaven below. 
So Lalla finds, and fairer far, 

After such grief to her appear 
The shining halls of Shalamar, 

The glorious Valley of Cashmere. 

^ :>. :J: :J: 

May you that bear'st as soft a name 
As that which graced the Indian queen. 



LOUISIANAJS 159 

And rul'st me with the love-lit flame. 

Within your eye of splendor seen; 
May you sweet Lalla's fortunes share, 

As pictured in the poet's tale; 
And suffer but such transient care, 

As over-cast her Happy Vale. 

Meantime, since you njust needs beguile 

Your journey hence to heaven's gate: 
Since, like our heroine, you smile 

On those of less than royal srate: 
I'd strive, like the Cashmerian kinp-. 

To merit favor with a lay, 
And 10 the kitar's trembling string, 

My softest song of love essay; 

And did not penury debar 

My hand from proffering royal cheer; 
Th}^ smile should grace a Shalamar, 

And rule a Kachmire be Nazeer. 



i6o LOUISIANAIS 



Chap. XIIL Le Plateau du Missouri; 

Or, 
A Vision of the Garden of the World. 



Of en wide the gate of horn, 
Whence beautiful as planets rise 

The dreams of truth vuith starry eyes. 
And all the woyidrous prophecies, 

And visions of the inorn, 

Long/. 

Oft-tunes in dreamful mood IVe trod that shore 
Where, brimmino- o'er, the Mississippi flows, 
'Mid scenes id3^11ic toil's embouchure. 
Malbonchia! Mississippi! Indian-named, 
Majestic river! vainly I essay 
To express my feeling^: when thy sea-like surge, 
Resounding, fills mine ear; albeit 't^s not 
Thy majest}^ alone, unrivalled stream, 
Tliat thus impresses me; though thou*rt well- 
named 
Father of Waters; Ocean's eldest born; 
I think besides of tluU whereto thou art 
Tlie simple dr^-iin; I think of Louisiane, 



LOUISIANAIS i6i 

Yea, of the imperial Valley of the West, 

That, yet unfilled, boasts of a score of states; 

That, with it's foar great rivers will at last 

Become a paradise, whereof^ I ween. 

The edenic garden was a fleeting type. 

Yea, 'tis of Louisiane I dream and sing^ 

And, were my fancy equal to the theme, 

I'd picture her as in millenial times. 

By her accomplished, sovereign and supreme. 

'Twas with such thoughts as these our sentinel, 

Our Louisianais wanderrd on that shore. 

While stalwart axnieu felled the cypress-tree, 

The spreading oak, and reared his capital. 

His Non'lle Orleans, As with a young compeer. 

Himself a 3'outh, he viewed that busy scene, 

He paused straightway and serious became. 

Solent upon the wolds, upon scream he gazed: 

Then to his comrade thus his thoughts exprest: 

*'Dost realize," said hr, that on this scene 

Will stand one day the fitting capital 

Of this fair, summery southland; that 'twill rise 

And with itV favored, subject realm keep pace; 

And with the progress of the years, outvie 

Sicilian Agrigentum, once esteemed 

Of i^.ortal cities fairest; if indeed 

Jt faili: to. eel ipse that which tlie world toda}^ 

Reckons supreme, the city by the Seine; 

Or tliat uhete England's glory monstrous-grown. 



i62 LOUISIANAIS 

And sinokc-begi imed, o'er-awes the silver Thames. 

What mortal faney can, thus form afar. 
Rightly portray the destined capital 
To o'er-look one day this great stream's embou- 
chure, 
In th.e Egypt of that world, as yet to be, 
Whose light mu.->t needs illuminate mankind. 
To found that city has been my chief care. 
And founding it even now tliis act sublim*^ 
Will memorate my deeds, and make my name, 
However unworthy, deathless for all time. 
His frere then, of our pater-patriae. 
Required a discourse on his favorite theme, 
His care; fit subject of heroic song. 
And of our love; our mystic Louisiane. 
Then sans prelude or form he thus began: 
^ I esieem it a high honor, in good sooth, 
To be accounted ruler of this realni. 
As you well know my authority extends, 
Or through my letters-patent should extend, 
Throughout this valley of shadow, on each hand, 
To it's mountain-bulwarks; toward the north, 
To its distant bourn, that never yet explored. 
Doth drain, 'tis said, into le mer del oueste, 
And veering joins the realm of the Great Kahn. 
Rt-oion immense! fairest of temporal realms! 



LOUISIANA IS '63 

Wherein the thousand millions of the earth 

Might safely abide and easily subsist. 

Such myriads yet will its vast bounds include. 

In that predestined realm, god-like indeed, 

Must be the hero worthiest to bear 

The title Rome eave t* her noblest son; 

And not to him held first in deeds of blood, 

But to ''Sweet Tully/' pat€ r-patrise. 

In that great realm I'd bea'" the honored part 

Of him that gave Cadmean arts to Greece, 

And to that end, I'd strive to roll from it 

The night of ignorance and bodeful gloom: 

For o'er that vale a pall of darkness spreads. 

And superstition, savagery, abound. 

In forms well-worthy of Dantesque imagery. 

And yet, o'er all, resplendent, cloud-relieved, 

A heaven-reflecting iris spans the scene; 

And there, even there, I've visioned phantasies, 

And dreams that seem prognostic and inspired, 

Or by the times, or zodiacal signs. 

Of these, one seemed assuredly Jove-sent; 

In Greece that dream of mine had thus appeared, 

And, of portentous and resounding name, 

Had been regarded as a sequel fit 

Unto the Atlantic story, matchless strain, 

Begun in wisdom by the Father-S^ge. 



1 64 LOUIS1ANAL3 

One eve upon tlie Inyan Karats height, 

A western bulwark of this shadowy vale, 

I encamped and thence a wide-spread land-scape 

view'd. 
There while the mock-bird sang, and sunset^s 

glow 
Transformed the wilderness; of years to come, 
Methinks I (breamed, or of th^ Atlantis past. 
There to my ken a wondrous vision sh#ne; 
A driam-land, yet a ri^ilex of our sphere^ 
On an exploring expedition there; 
My genial guide and hopt, ru Indian sage, 
So-Called, whose name was yet Isonomos; 
And who, as I aver, in sober sootli. 
Was a good angel, fair and nobl}- -named. 
Who watches o'er this Valley of the West: 
I attributed this vision to his art. 
Vasty it rose, with mountain-likd immures, 
Since it yet bore the semblance of this vale; 
An that a vale be calle 1 between whose bounds 
So great a segment of the sphere obtrudes. 
'Twas our great vale, ^nd through the midst 

methought, 
The lather of Waters still unchanging flowed; 
The hesperian fields lay boundlessly outspread; 
The hoary woodlands but appeared more fair. 
And in configuration much as these; 
Albeit those wolds were as the wilderness, 



LOUISIANAIS 165 

Unshorr! that cinctured Milton's realm of bliss, 

Or Alghieri's earthly paradise; 

'•That heavenly forest, dense and living green." 

The Inyan Kara seemed a bulwark huge, 

The bastion of a fortress, mountain walled, 

Rock-pinnacled^ and grand beyond belief. 

Yet on one hand appeared a broad plateau, 

That stretched far down toward the valley's heart, 

And westi^^ard ro.se in mighty terraces, 

Blending, at last, in the great mountain-wall. 

That forms the acme of the continent. 

And, on that side, the valley's bounding lins. 

Huge panorama! Westward I beheld 

Rocks highembattkd; rocks with towers and 

spires, 
And loftier still, along the sky-line far. 
Mountains snow-crDwued, including, as twas said, 
An earthly paraclise where 'mid calm lakes 
Transparent as the skies; 'mid pictured rocks 
And cliffs obsidian, at brief intervals, 
A myotic fountain heavrnward rose immense. 
And arched with rainbows, stood apparently 
That one which in the edenic garden played. 
And, as tradition says, became at last. 
The source of the great stream, far-famed, four- 
fold, 
Thence wandering eastward through elyj-ian fields. 
And watering all the l-owers of paradise. 



1 66 LOUISIANAIS 

There at my feet the turbid river rolled; 

Missouri, Indian-named, the fountain-head 

Of our great Father-Stream; that arm in arm 

With it's great sister, with Saskatchewan, 

The swiftly-flowing river, issues from 

That mountain-paradise, and wandering forth 

Into the vale of vales, waters it's wastes; 

And then, by four great outlets, even as 

The edenic river, falls inio the sea. 

Meantime- I stood, methought. within the abode 

Of the ancient sage* which outwardly appeared 

A relic of the old Saturnian age, 

Of mound-builders and times long since forgot. 

Within, as well I wot, 'twas fitted up 

With products of a science likewise lost, 

Or otherwise, a^ yet unknown to man. 

'Twas no unnatural art, as I opine. 

Yet mystified by optics yet un kenned, 

Scarce could the eye it's whereabouts discern. 

I thus beheld the mystic vale .f vales, 

"Well-watered as the garden of the Lord;" 

Behtld, through distance infinite, despite 

The swelling earth's convexity; beheld 

It's mighty rivers and it's inland seas. 

And each of these throughout it's vast extent; 

Whilst fronting us and to that end, as 'twere. 

Quite retroverted, it's Niagara foamed: 

Beheld, with awe, it's thousand leagues of plain, 



LOUISIANAIS 167 

And therewithal it's thousand leagues of wood. 

The first, apparently, a cultured field; 

The last, an endless maze of floral bowers 

As fair as thai of Eve in Paradise. 

And o'er those scenes the light of Heaven flowed; 

Since, as of yore, it's wonted beams of peace 

Revived the lost Atlantis. Brighter far 

Than Ivan, boastful of her orient scenes, 

Or the ancient land of roses, Suristan; 

That vale seemed like the paradise discerned 

V.y the rapt Parsee 'neath his tamarind tree, 

Or b}/ Mohammed in his dreams of bliss: 

An Aden or a Jan at al Ferdoos. 

A 3'e, there; e'en there,! weet, v/as realized, 

Or, as I said, the Atlantic Isle divine, 

Or that fond dream, so dear to wildered minds, 

That robs our darkness of it's horrid form; 

That bright mirage, unfading evermore, 

Fa) long the object of our fond pursuit 

Over the sands of life; the joys superne. 

The fair elysian state, v/hich vaguely viewed 

Through death's dark vista, glads the child of 

faith. 
The Paradise of the West, as in the lore 
Of Boodha pictured, those elysian fields 
The Greekling visioned o'er the western sea; 
E'en there, niethought, in primal beauty v^miled. 



t68 LOUISIANAIS 

Vd ne'er assert that 'twas the spirit's ^lorae, 
Tlic last reward of loving deeds below; 
l^ut that it's new-found glories well-fulfilled 
Whatever briii^ht ideals men have known, 
Whether as fond traditions of the prime, 
Or chrri'shed dreams of better da^^s to come. 

Ere long the chief of marvels there appeared: 

A wondrous city shone, with cloud-cap't towers. 

In magic reared by architects divine. 

Out-rivaling Mulciber's ( elestial skill. 

Blest seat! that far the Utopian's pride outshone; 

Or Caracalla's cite de vSoleil, 

Or e'en Dorado's dream-built capital, 

Of structures aureate and argentine; 

Midway our vale, at juuciure of it's streams, 

That cit}' la\^, on rivers nobler far 

Than those of old deemed worthiest paradise. 

Pison, Gihon, Euphrates, Hiddekel, 

What were your streams lo these? About its walls 

Eastward the wold, westward the boundless plain; 

Tiie one tilth field, the other, wide pleasance, 

Designed in iKjauty, tliis to smile for aye. 

Tlicre from distructive art was nature free, 

Au'l oft as in the golden agi m-^'.i dwelt 

In bowers rudr-built, like those here seen, or like 

1 he tabernacles reared 'mouQ- Eden's paliiiS. 

Dwelt ir. most prir.i'il uiofle; like him of (Id 

To P^ijah ap])Mrin in the wilderness, 



LOUISIANAIS 169 

With bread and water-cruise, of simple guise, 
Yet numbered 'mong the flaming seraphim. 
With art that swayed the seasons, stilled the 

storm, 
And distance overcame; man netded not 
To change, or with rude hand, to disenchant 
His rural haunts and bowers of pleasance. 
On ever}^ hand the wold seemed populous. 
As 'twere with spirits high that roved and sang 
'Ntath bowering shades, and scarce a foot-print 

left, 
Mu( h less disturbed a scene of God ordained. 
Bnt as lo that dream city of which I spake: 
There situate afar it's bounds spread forth; 
On either hand, by furlongs measured, vast, 
As to the dreamer of the Apocalysr, 
Tliat Holy City, New Jerusalem, 
And like it gorgeous as tho' framed of gold. 
And thick inlaid, vv^ith glitVing gems and stones. 
Yea, on each side, it's mighty arms stretched 

forth. 
As from Niagara's foaming florid, 'twas said, 
And from Ihe far Msssouri's thundering falls, 
She drew a power incalculably great. 
That, once uncurbed, had wreckccf the sphere 

well-nigh; 
And therewithal she changed her night to day, 
Impelled at will gigantic industries. 



j/o LOUISlANiAIS 

And cai^: and luessaf^-es that, lightiiing-winge4, 

In all directions sped. She even essayed 

With that weird power to still the hujg-icane, 

At pleasure, and the circling seasons rule, 

Methought I trod her ways, and 'neath a dome, 

A structure such, mayhap, as mortal hand 

Ne'e: built before, nor fancy's magic wand 

Reared in tht cities of her fairy-land, 

I stood at length a^uid a heavenly throng, 

(,)r such those puissant forms appeared to me. 

Yea, stood, and heard the white-robed seraph sing, 

'xMid waving palms, th^;^ victories of truth. 

An exhibition of that art was given, 

P/ven as I watched the scene; and mighty domes, 

And cloud-capped towers arose, a vision bright, 

Unspeakable, and though of form immense, 

Snow-white, as foam clad cytherea fair. 

The mystic city, as 'twas truly called, 

All glorious as the fabric of a dream. 

That common-weal was but tbebrotl^erhood 

Whereof the sages write and poets sing; 

lt\s maxim true, the equality of all 

In the ancient phrase exprest, Isonomos. 

Such was the Great Republic and it's chief, 

The Ancient of Days, so-called in prophecy. 

Was eke the leveller of blood-bought thr mes. 

Wise ruler! 'mong whose counselors appeared 



LOUISIANA IS i6i 

The brothers famed for fore and after-thought. 

The first Promethens-Vinctiis, oft pro tray ed 

On Caucasus imbound, and vulture-torn, 

Till e'en the foolish Epinietheus saw, 

And checked the abuses of the fiery arts 

The first had given, but perfecting their use, 

As at OUL stroke, set man and Titan free. 

The Atlaiitid's; though in seeming such as we, 

Were yet in art consummate and supreme. 

''Mou-Dieu!" the knight exclaimed, with sense 

acute, 
Those niL^rtals caught faint whispers from afar, 
Conversing with compadres overseas; 
Witli i;(.blins breathing flame beneath their yoke 
Were trade's rich stores, and earth's productions 

borne. 
While lights pharosian far the unending day 
DisDtnsed at will and shamed the fitful sun. 
Tile teeming soil, 'neath such ethereal fires, 
Brought forth the golden grain, unkempt, until'd. 
They rnduced the former and the latter rain, 
They rec.red the choicest products of the field, 
And shared the harvest-home; nor ever deigned 
To weild the ploughshare, or to bind the sheaf. 
There science esoieric o'er the soil, 
Wielded supernal powers, as poets say, 
Tiie rod of Ceres and the bolts of Jove* 



172 IvOUISIANAIS 

Men foiled not, neither did they spin, and yet 
The field hesperian, o'ersprrading half that vale, 
As it doth still, e'en from the Mexiqne gulf 
Expanding northward a full thousand leagues; 
Stood yearly enrobed in cereals greeTi and gold. 
Men toiled not, neither did they spin; and yet 
The dyes purpureal and hyacinthine robes 
Wherewith the earth of old her kings indued. 
Were naught unto the wealth cf their array 
When glittering in their fairy palaces. 
Joyous they trod the groves, the elysian fields. 
Or else aloft on wings of light arose. 
They enjoyed the music of the sunbright earth; 
They e'en traversed with speed the ethral vault; 
Wandered at will 'mong sister orbs more fair, 
LikL mariners that rove the isle-gem'd seas; 
And finally, mayhap, defying fate. 
On winged steeds like the Al Borak of Mahound, 
Aro:i2 and reached high heaven at a bound. 
Aye, wonders reigned supreme, for happiness 
And science dawned upon the earth once more; 
Nor passion unrestrained, nor sufTcring, 
Nor death, methought, deformed tliat radiant 

shore. 
There, if death came, twas at the appropriate 

hour, 
Nor e'er untimely urged by sin, or crime. 
At last discerning wdience their art arose, 



LOUISIANAIS 173 

And to their modes habituate, said he, 

I marvel'd much that they were long unknown, 

Nor doubted more a Jared's thousand years, 

Nor e'en the advent of the chiliast's age; 

Yet more admired the ancient sage inspired. 

That from our mortal framed a perfect state, 

And presaged the Republic there to rise 

And blend earth's races in it's brotherhood. 

A word as to the most stupendous strife 

That there arose; the victory of Truth: 

'Twas that of Light and Liberty withal; 

Th^ Armageddon of the prophet's dream. 

The miglitiest of states, even that dread power. 

Which in this valley centreing stretched afar 

To all surrounding seas, with those it drew 

Into its alliance; all the Americas, 

The Asian and Australasian isles; 

This mighty power o'er all the earth besides 

Triumphed at length; albeit the conflict waged 

Was such as shaiiied all antecedent strife. 

There myriads fought with novel arts and arms. 

Like fell Medea with her dragon team. 

And car aerial mid-air they appealed; 

Or ranged in conflict, like the embattled hosts 

Of Gabriel and Apolyon, strove on high 

In cloud-lands mystic; strove with glittering arms 

Electric-bayoneted; Jove's flery bolts, 

Thev seized god-like and with precision hurled, 



174 LOUISIANAIvS 

And hideous tliuiuler, hideous rain ensued. 

The most horrific factors in the strife 

Were, on eacli side , the navies of the air. 

Aye, truly, on the far horizon's verge 

Did these appear like vultures broad of winj>-, 

Wide-circling in the sky; as they approached, 

Their huge proportions, as the stonn-clond vast, 

O'er shadowed earth and dim'd the light of day: 

And oft, horribile dictu, they paused, 

And slaughtered thousands, and from dizzy 

heights 
Demolished cities witli a rain of fire. 
At length the final conflict came, that one. 
The most eventful of all tides and times, 
That witii it's tliunders did determinate 
The destiny of man, and thus disclose. 
Even in this long-lost valley of our dream, 
Tlie blood-stained field^ to prophecy revealed, 
The Armageddon of the Apocalypse, 
From the Inyan-Kara's height I observed the 

strife. 
The patriot-host o'cr-spread the vale below, 
And through the outlets of the rivers four, 
As well as through the encircling realms of air. 
The Invader came. Each great contending host 
Was shrouded in a mantling ])all of clonds. 
And as those war-clouds over-spread the sc ene, 
The shades of miduight fell. But suddenly 
The strife began, and vivid lightnings glared 



LOUISIANAIS 175 

And startling thunders stun'd the listening ear. 
Earth trembled as beneath an earthquake shock. 
The din increased until the vale beneath, 
To it's utmost bounds, a pandemonium seemed, 
And through the rifted darkness, in the glare 
Of fearful lightnings, I beheld broad fields 
With carnage strewn, and rivers running blood. 
But as the climax came and when it seemed 
The quivering planet would in ruins fall, 
1 heard, as 'twere, the rustling of swift wings, 
And saw the terraced plateau toward the north 
Covered with forms divine that all absorbed 
In earth's last conflict, heeded naught besides. 
Meantime the sage, who^e honored guest I'd been. 
His pLain disguise forsook, and radiant rose, 
And in celestial arms and armor, stood 
The angel of Liberty, Isonomos. 
Into the strifr, on wings of light, he plunged; 
And, thus enforced, tis needless to relate 
The Atlantids won the victory of truth, 
And tyranny was driven from the earth. 
At last the turmoil ceased, and with it ceased 
The invidious rule of wrong; resounding fell 
The thrones of czar and kaiser, king and khan. 
How fair thereafter, in millennial days, 
'Neath angel-guardians, grew the vale of vales 
Is more than tongue can tdl, or dreams portray. 
He ceased, and Louisiane, divinely fair; 
Armed with the lute, mysteriously appeared. 



176 LOUISIANAIS 

'Twas thus she sang: 

Plus Ultra. 

As athwart the wild valley we gaze, 

Opening hence in it^s dark semi-sphere. 
Can we view but the wood-land's green maze, 

And can naught but the savag"^ appear? 
Ah! the eye o'er it's green v/old of leaves, 

In the opaline region afar, 
Wherfc it merges in heaven, perceives 

The gates of Elysium unbar. 

'Neath the beacon of hope I behold 

Dimly-visioned, bright castles in air, 
Or Dorado, bright-glittering with gold. 

Or Utopia, the blest and the fair. 
From that far, shining dream-land there fall 

Sunny beams of it's heavenly sheen, 
On the wold 'neath it's cloud-pictured wall, 

And an iris o*er-arches the scene; 

And the wilderness smiles 'neath it's gleam, 

As the valley of paradise, and — 
'Twas the rustling of boughs- — I did deem, 

'Twas the liynui of a heaven-taught band. 
Oh! I weet 'tis a vision sublime, 

'Tis a glimpse of the maze of fate, 
And it t3^pes the List product of time, 

'Tis the blest and tlie coming state. 



LOUISIANAIS 177 

As dim-seen by the savage of old, 

By Amerigo's sailor forlorn; 
As ^twill gleam in the ages untold. 

In the light of millennial niorn. 

She ceased. Our good knight seemed inspired 

as ^twere: 
Would, he exclaimed, I had the potent art 
Of Orleans' ancient school, or tabulae 
Toletenae, or hymn theurgical; 
1 Would that dream of fairyland revive. 
Aye truly, she replied, would it were so. 
They spake, and from their aspect rapt. 
The cure deemed they visioned realms unknown. 

*'Maldicion,'' exclaimed the holy man, 

*'If from Jamblichus de Mysteriis, 

Or such theurgic hymns, ye have the power 

Of second sight, or gifts of like import, 

Ye should at least on pulse or pebbles walk, 

As penance meet, and by such deeds approve 

Your observance of the seventh sacrament." 

Kxclaiming thus, he raised tne crucifix. 

And chanted excantations of learned phrase, 

At which our good knight, unal armed, but smiled. 



1/8 LOUISIANAIS 



Chap. XIV. Carlotta: 
Or, The Princcj^s of Brunswick. 



A pretty Winnan's zvorth so'Me fains to see, 
Nor is she spoiled, I take it, i^ a erown 
Completes the forehead pale and tresses pwrv.. 

^ob't "Browning. 

Soon 'neath the blades of fifty choppers fell 
The adjoining" woodknid. Sundry arpents wide, 
As many niiliares loni^,perhaps, stretched foith 
The escarpment, for the town's d(*fense designed, 
'Twas made at length to serve another use, 
And in due time rustled with fields of maize. 
Upon the rvier-side rose palisades, 
Encircling barracks, commissarial stores; 
Among them, sundry abodes of officers. 
That rudely built, subserved the intended use. 
There stood our chieftain's cottage, afterwards, 
As the Hotel Hitnville, widely known. 
On the fair day whose happenings we recount, 
'Twas but a rustic castle girded with 
Circling verandas and an upper floor, 
That over-looked the Uirbid Father-Stream, 
And immemorial woods. From it's wide hall. 
Athwart the vSeething water^--, looked that da> 
Our group cf heroes. Tliere in jocund mood, 
The effect, mayhap, of full-paid salaries, 



LOUISIANAIS 179 

A thing unlikely the historian says, 

Or wines of Bordeaux recently arrived, 

They indulged in rallyings facetious, not. 

As well I wot, uncourtly or uncouth. 

A bout at ariiiS proposed for jollity, 

In that, St Denis excepted, all engaged, 

And dangerous play and flashing steel ensued. 

Kach face with youth and hot blood radiant glowed 

In conflict hand to hand, and bright eyes flashed 

And glinting sparks leaped from their flashing 

blades, 
And gold-laced uniforms, and broidered hats, 
Doublets and mantles in the sunlight gleamed. 
More serious grown 1 y a casual wound thus given. 
They ceased their vSport the bleeding wound to 

stanch. 
Our J«-an presiding thus in rustic state, 
Then asked of Sieur D'Aubant the wondrous tale 
To whicli his strange adventures had given form. 
Be it remembered Sieur D'Aubant alone 
Dwelling afar by the stream called St John, 
Knew that strange story of his varying life, 
And hitherto no entreaty had availed 
To Ci.ll it forth, Howe'er, at Jean's command 
The lovelorn hermit even rehearsed his deeds; 
And in so doing held the host entranced, 
And even the most un heedful ear engaged. 
Of knightly grace was he, albeit lass-lorn. 



i8o LOUISIANAIS 

His course had been that of the sad recluse. 

Gently he laid aside his chapeau-bras 

And seemingly in rcminisc ent mood, 

He thus began: ''The story, I admit. 

Of my past deeds, if properl}^ rehearsed. 

Would be of interest to romantic youth, 

And such, I assume, my auditors remain. 

At the outset I will say that each of you 

Has doubtless felt the deep enthralling charm 

Pervading the imprints even of castles old, 

Of lordly halls, such as have thickly graced 

Old Europe since her medieval age. 

Standing before those huge majestic piles. 

What soul is not uplifted? What fond heart 

Doth not imagine that within such walls 

Romance prevails, and that those pillared fronts 

Have each concealed a scene of fairyland; 

And when, anon, wiihin their lofty halls 

Sweet melodies aris^ and dulcet tones 

Of lute and harpsichord commingling with 

The soulful voice of woman, ah, in truth! 

What dreams divine on wings of angels borne 

Smile on us as the fancied habitants, 

The fitting tenants of such glorious towers. 

Such thoughts, at least, found lodgment in the 

soul 
Of a young chevalier, who of rugged frame 



LOUISIANAIS i8x 

And martial aspect, spurred his worn steed down 
The rough declivities that westward bound 
The stoned Iser and it's vine-clad vale. 
Before him gleamed that whicli awoke those 

dreams. 
On Iter's banks a ducal palace stood: 
A noble one, forsooth! it's beauties still 
By distance softened, it appeared in troth, 
A pictured scene as 'twere, a dream in stone; 
A reflex, seemingly, of fairy- land. 
Majestic rose it's battlemented walls 
'Mid groves of ancient oaks: o'er it unfurled, 
A glistening banner flowed, while in it's front, 
The curving stream that beauteous scene enchased 
And in clear depths reflected all it\s towers. 
Enchanted by that vision 'A delight. 
Our young adventurer drew up his worn steed, 
And stood awhile in admirati-ai mute; 
In doubt, as 'twere, whetlier to advance or pause. 
'Tis said Mohammed on the rocky bound 
Of old Damascus and it's happy vale, 
Even thus drew back for fear lest his stern soi.l, 
Thus lured and charmed by an earthly paradise, 
Would forfeit that above, or else approve 
Unequal to the proud j)ursuit of fame. 
Such thoughts, mayhap, our hero's soul assailed. 
Howe'er, unlike Mohammed, he advanced 
And risked, and lost, if not a deathless soul. 



i82 LOUISIANAIS 

At least a heart upon the doubtful chance. 
Let us in thought recur to seventeen-twelve. 
The lord of Brunswick, Wolfenbi.ttel called, 
From som? escutcheon, or for au^rht we know, 
From the brave Teuton's penchant for huge word? 
Rough-sounding as the clasli of savage brands; 
This duke, I say, well-worthy of the naUiC, 
Dwelt in his hall by Iser's storied stream: 
Dwelt nobly in the castle beautiful. 
That glittering woke the fancv of our swain. 
The duke himself, a courteous gentleman, 
Cultured, suave, appeared a nobleman 
Hy nature and art, both ncbly bred and born; 
And when at length tlie young adventurer 
Approached that stately leader in his hall, 
Altliougli himself well-bred, he quaked some- 
what, 
As much in admiration as in awe. 
As stated, an adventurer was he, 
v^eeking his fortune as the knights of old. 
Thrown with the duke, a kindred soul, mayhap, 
The 1 ittcr loved him well, and made him soon, 
The chief and captain of his household guard. 
Ere long a heavenly vision, seemingly. 
Unto his eye appeared, and with it woke, 
In his young heart, a deathless dream of l(;ve. 
On ire next da\-, b;:?in<;' then a ini irdsman Svvorn, 



LOUISIANAIS 183 

He viewed the schloss, 'Neath lofty colonnades, 
Greek-capital'd, and rich entablatures, 
With bated breath, he entered marble halls. 
As dazed well-nigh with grandeur, he advanced 
'Mid Gobelin tapestries, o'er tesselated floors. 
He approached at length a glorious masterpiece, 
A rare chef-don vre of the architect 
That reared the edifice: he approached at last, 
The apartment known as the garden-salon, 
Where pillars with arboreous capitals, 
Resembled palms in ranks and series ranged; 
Where beds and bowers of tropic plants in bloom 
Charmed every sense with beauty and perfume: 
While over-arching these, a lainbow, as 'twere, 
From high pilasters on each hand, aros^, 
Apparentl}^ the bow of heaven indeed, 
Gilding with reflex beams the flowers below. 
I met Carlotta there, in that rare scene; 
A queen, apparently, in fairyland. 
She wore, in truth, a jeweled diadem, 
And vestments worthy of her high degree; 
While liveried servants formed a cortege fair 
About her, yet did she, like her great sire, 
P'rom our first meeting-, deign to notice me. 
Well-p'eased as 'twere, she threw on nic, eVn then. 
The smile that changed my Ixidefnl night to cay 
Ar.d S'xji bcc::me mv ccnintde and my Jricnd. 



iS4 LOUISIANAIS 

All accident that in those days occnrred, 

Deeply imprest her ima^e on my heart, 

And in most pleasing form. A neigliboring prince 

y\ rival of the Wolfenbnttel honse, 

Assailed the latter; and, with force and arms, 

Essayed to o'er-come it while its owner's powers 

Were absent on a distant field of strife. 

In trnth, as captain of the honse-hold gnard, 

A veteran company bnt far loo small 

To oppose the foe; I lead it's sole support. 

liven this was taken nna wares, and I, 

Its chief, while 'mong the neighboring hills 

With scant escort, eqnipped bnt for the chase, 

Was fiercely assailed; my followers dispersed; 

And I was left nnconscionr. on the field. 

Being sorelv wounded by a sabre stroke, 

I fell as dead; the roar of mnskerry, 

The clash of battleaxe and gleaming sword, 

lacing the dcathfiil sounds that stnn'd mine ear. 

1 awoke ere long, and o'er 1113^ prostrate form 

There stooped a figure that with flowing curls, 

And face angelic; that with helm of gold 

And buckler of like lustre, seemed to me 

A true Valkyrie, and my first impulse, 

Was to rejoice, despite my sufferings. 

That I, by encountering thus a warrior's deatli, 

Had merited a warrior\s paradise 



LOUlvSlANAIS 1S5 

At Icni^lh, l)encalh licr smile, I found myself, 

And my Valkyrie, slill of mortal form; 

Yd more I admired the ])rincess when I fonnd 

That moved by love and armed with battle-axe, 

She rescued me from over-powerini;' foes. 

And in the act (lisi)layed a heroism 

Well worthy of a truly royal race. 

I)Ut time wore on, and i)eace a^ain returned; 

And, as I ween, never did mortal love 

A fellow-being (|uite so fondly as I 

Inilly recovered, loved the ])rincess then, 

After thus finding her noble in (lead 

As well as name, and brave as well as fair. 

"Pis needless to recount her varied charms 

Since their enumeration would but more 

()])])ress my soul; or name the accomj)lishments 

Of nn'nd and heart that made her doubly dear 

Throughout the realm, alike to low and high. 

'I'hese are the subjects whereunto my dreams 

Are ever wont, in secret, to recur. 

In sober sooth I aver she loved me well; 

y\lth()Ugh a ])rincess, and although to me 

It seemed as if some form of he.'ivenly mould 

Stoo])ed downward from the bowers of Paradise 

To cheer my heart with a celesti<al smile. 

r>ut time ])assed on, and evil days drew nigh. 



186 LOUISIANAIvS 

The Russian crown-prince, hideous shape! one day 

Invaded, and hke Satan's serpent form - 

Disturbed and desecrated the rare bower 

Of love and beauty in which our hearts reposed : 

For, as it chanced, even I, the lowly born, 

The simple soldier with but a true heart, 

A character unstained and a good blade, 

Rival'd in love the future emperor, 

That boastful of illimitable power. 

And wealth beyond the dreams of avarice. 

Yet lacked the essential attributes of man. 

And in habitual intemperance, 

Swine-like and foul, oft wallowed in the mire. 

And, be it remembered, merit and modest worth. 

Even in that most unequal strife, had won; 

Had not the despot of half Europe, aye, 

The Czar of all the Russias seconded 

The inebriates efforts and foully decreed 

The ambrosial charms of one worthy of heaven 

Should be surrendered to an imp of hell; 

Had not decreed besides, with threats decreed, 

That the weak duchy should his wish fulfill 

And on its life should tremble and obey. 

Thus power at length succumbed ; thus brute force, 

And gold combined, o'er simple worth prevailed. 

Carlotta, at last, unwillingly succumbed. 



LOUISIANAIS 187 

Partly to shield her parent from the rage 

Of a rude despot, partly in the hope 

That her weak hand on the rough prince bestowed, 

Would mend, mayhap reform a dastard's life, 

Yielded ; and on the unworthy one bestowed 

Her hand, but not her heart. Soon afterwards, 

As at the altar, all dispirited. 

She passed in silence through the mockery 

Of plighting solemnly her sacred faith; 

Even while the hymn of jubilation shook 

The great cathedral's loftiest arcades, 

And smiles of seeming joy lit and illumed 

A jeweled throng of lords and ladies fair; 

Even then I observed upon the princess' face 

A look of silent loathing, ill-disguised, 

A movement of repulsion 'gainst the fqrm 

That stood beside her there. . By these impelled, 

I followed in disguise the new-wed pair, 

And 'mong the silent Cossacks in their train, 

Rode to the heart of Russia, equipped and nerved 

To free the princess, or for her to die. 

She entertained, but deemed impractical 

My bold design, and in old Moscow at length 

Our journey ceased. There on the columned porch 

Of the green palace of a savage Czar, 



188 LOUISIANAIS 

The princess' maiden, who was won't erewhile 

To bear our missives, for the last time came 

And gave a note and turned away to weep. 

''I love you," thus the scented missive said, 

And then went on : ''Which, placed as we are, love, 

Denotes that we must never meet again." 

Needless to tell my unhappy wanderings thence; 

And I conclude this ^stor}^ of my love 

And fatal loss, the latter fearful quite. 

As the other was exalted, in few words. 

In my bark-covered cottage by St. John, 

The antithesis of that beyond the sea 

Wherein Carlotta, unhappy still, remains ; 

Ye've seen, mayhap, and wondered much to see 

The portrait of a queenly lady stand 

And gaze upon the insignia of a heart 

Down pressed beneath a glittering, jewel'd crown. 

Sad emblem of Carlotta's weary life ! 

That came,' somewhat mysteriously to me. 

And with a look of sadness bids me hope." 

He ceased, as by deep feeling overcome, 

And round him prest a sympathetic throng 

Conjuring him to dream of brighter days. 



LOUISIANAIS 189 



Chap. XV, La Reine de la Prairie 
Or, Love on The Texan Plains, 



Oh, that the de-?ert were imy dwelling=place, 
With one fair spirtt for my mini-^ter , 
That I might all forget the huwan race 
And hating n£) ciue, Ivve but only her. 

(Do I err, 
In deeming such inhabit many a spot? 
Though with ther/i to converse can rarely be our lot. 

"Byron. 

Another eve in his baronial hall 

The Louisianian sat with all his freres; 

With railery assailed the Benedick, 

The knight of St Denis, who smiled well-pleased, 

And smoked mean-time a native pipe of peace, 

Filled with tobacco from the Natchitoches. 

At length at the request of each and all, 

He told of his romance in Mexico, 

^'Oft as yon sun/' began Sienr Juchereau, 

Sinks 'mid the blooming pampas of the west, 

To my fond thought revives a golden dream; 

In visions of bright beauty comes again. 

The cherished memory of the prairie-queen. 

Some suncry seasons gone, a setting sun 

That lit those Texan plains, allured a band 

Of roving wanderers toward his radiant goal. 



iQo , LOUISIANAIS 

From no'.thlands far they came. To their rapt 

gaze 
Thrice- beauteous seemtd that floral summer-land. 
Fair realm! where once reposed the central sea, 
Whose lapsing waters left the coral beds 
And plainsof ocean, wavdess 'neatli the sun. 
Though still their boundless fields of verdure flow, 
And weigh, and seem fair seas of living green. 
Those native fields unbroken by the plow 
Yield teeming harvests; rising o'er the plain, 
Immantling earth with green; in autumn days 
Transmute to gold without man's toil or care. 
For nature o'er those boundless tracts bears sway, 
And wild and lone they stretch from zone to zone. 
Full many days the adventurer Uja}' rove 
Still journeying through that fragrant land of 

flowers, 
While round his path on every hand arise 
The unending vistas of it's emerald meads. 
With transport I recall those western wilds, 
Those floral meads encompassed by the sky; 
A paradise as of tht king of kings. 
Filled with jy outh's poesy I seemed to approach, 
A legion of romance; a realm of bliss; 
A Mezzoramia, the approach to which 
I then explored, Gaudentio-like, alone. 
Aye, whh delight we approached those far-famed 

fields, 



LOUISIANAIS 191 

Haunts of the herded buffalo, thenceforth 

Most sumptuously we fared. On furry robes, 

Or slept at ease, or bounteously dined 

Of venison and bison's haunch galore." 

The hearers closer drew, with interest deep, 

As eloquent the glittering chief went on. 

^'But our adventurers dared a hostile clime, 

And I, their chief, intent on royal gains. 

With caravans of Crozat's merchandise, 

Yet strove to elude the fell Conimanches' bands, 

Or clad in mail, with fateful batteaxe, 

Their naked warriors thin'd and safely passed. 

At Ir-ngth we approached our goal, the Iberian 

posts, 
And careful of my wares and freres, alone, 
I advanced towarc the Presidio del Norte, 
And soon the sentinel's sereno rang 
From a rude fortress rising o'er the plain. 
The heavenly Queen, Vergen Purissima, 
Inscribed upon the Spanish banerol, 
And in her features an Iberian fair, 
O'erhung the rude, romautic seat of arms. Fair 

sign! 
Bodeful perchance, prognostic of my fate, 
Determined there by a senorita's smile. 
There 'niong the adobes Spanish veterans strolled, 
And warsteeds lay in fields of rich mesquite, 
Porgetting batiles in their deep repose. 



192 LOUISIANAIS 

There in his court the grave hidalgo sat, 

The worthy senor, Zanchez de Navarre, 

The ruler and the prefect of the post. 

Advanced in years, a courtier in grace, 

Albrit of low degree, his heart had reached 

The loftiest rank, type of the irue noblesse; 

Great-souled, yet with a father's kindly breast. 

Even thus appeared that Spanish veteran, 

Whose days were passed in rude America; 

Since in his youth he left his natal shore^ 

Ancient Navarre for distant Mejico; 

With the conquistadors those realms explored 

Nor ever after quit the Aztec clime. 

Thus with regard and kindliness received 

My fears at once dispelled, yet said the Don, 

"Our service claim in aught we can perform. 

And be thy stay an estada of joy; 

Yet must I say, to admit thy caravan 

Exceeds my power: our governor alone, 

Whose residence is hence full three-score leagues, 

Can answ^er thee. Untill his will be known. 

My tent thou 'It share and an honored guest. ^' 

That far presidio stood on a height, 

A flowery knoll amid the extended plain. 

The weighing grasses clothed the pampas round 

And rolled a verdant sea, whose circling waves 

P" lowed ever 'neath the islet's rocky base. 

Mayhap in times long gone, on that fair site. 



LOUISIANAIS 19 



J 



A summer isle o'erlooked a tropic sea. 
Delightful haunt, fair scenes were there disclo&ed, 
With nioss-clad rocks, akoves and clirystal 

springs; 
The orange on those sunn3^ slopes appeared, 
And oleanders green, the sweet bay rose, 
Whose home enchanted ai-e the south-sea isles. 
Withdrawn amid the green declivities 
Of that fair mount and opening o'er the plain, 
The chief's adobe stood, tile-roofed and low. 
Yet fi.irly spacious with its court erxlosed 
While thickly round in groves of broad pecans, 
That close-embowering marked that mystic sliore, 
Rose native villages. The phnn beyond, 
A sea becalmed, stretched toward the horizon's 

v^erg*^. 
Sweet Isle in oceanic fields of green; 
In all the vast, romantic wilderness 
The central and most l^eauteous spot it seemed/' 
Approaching a most pleasing incident 
Sieur Juche^*eau now doffed his laced cliapeau, 
As with increasing interest, and resumed. 
^'Filled with youth's poesy entranced I viewed 
That region of romance whereof, I ween, 
The Algonquins dreamed when in the far south- 
west, 
Thc^ir sages placed their happ^" hunting-grounds. 



194 LOUISIANAIS 

In thought I sang: 
Where'er I rove I still behold 

Fair fields and scenes enchanting, 
A floral realm, a land of gold 

And nanofht but love is wantins:. 

Don Pedro's quaint abode was furnitured 
Nor rich, nor gaudy; brighter yet it seemed 
Than soldier's lodging in the camps of war, 
Or dwellings in Arcadian Mexico. 
More bright than these our cliieftain's home ap- 
peared, 
And fraught with emblems of Iberian life. 
The estrada there about the apartment's wall 
An air of welcome ease dispensed and e'en 
Of lover's joys and blythe tLrulias spake. 
And there the stranger came an honored gtiest; 
And each domestic in his service vied 
And eke for him the feast of welcome spread. 
Meanwhile within some nigh adjoining room 
He heard soft murmurs and the silvery tone 
Disclosed at length a charming presence there; 
And wondering still at such unwonted sounds, 
He gazed entranced when on the scene appeared 
That beauteous senorita, famed and fair, 
The brave hidalgo's daughter. Worthy child 
Of honored sire; nor backward nor yet bold, 
Well pleased she seemed to greet the adventurer 
there. 



LOUISIANAIS 195 

Of easy grace and bearing non-chalant, 
She showed Europa's every art attained, 
Though enrobed well-nigh as the pavesas maid. 
Ere long of his most cherished friend she spake 
Whose heart on Francia's shore had been his own; 
Of that loved friend, her own likewise, she knew 
His nz^-tiQ ar.d stnmo-e career. Him novv^ she hailed, 
As one long sought and welcomed v/ith delight. 
'Twas thus in truth she seemed. And ne'iT before, 
In court or palace had that stranger bowed 
With such regard, by beauty thus enthralled, 
Or, sooth to say, unto a face so fair. 
A Creole and a child of nature she, 
Of woman's form, though immature in years. 
Her face o'er-shadowed by hei" raven hair. 
Possessed the deep charm of the loved brunette. 
A sun whose heat calls forth the orange bloom 
Quickened her senses, warmed her tender heart 
And with the love-beams lit her sparkling eyes. 
Never the Andalusian capital, 
Pioud Seville, famed for maids of beauty rare. 
Nor e'er the grand Castilian prado when 
Blythe Madrilenas haunt it's promenade, 
Beheld a fairer form or lovelier face. 
Delighted with a beauty sweet and strange 
Where still the olive faintly tinged the rose ■ 
He learned at length her Aztec lineage. 
And that her grandam's race was eke her pride. 



190 LOUISIANAIS 

Descended from no servile origin, 

In thnt ancestral line were ranked great nanjes 

Of high renown, and over all, a king, 

The last that graced the Monteznnia's tlirone; • 

The fate-defying ZinGnatamo; 

In death a king indeed, when smilingly 

Oiil-stretclied npon his bed of burning coals. 

Manueh), beanty's royalty appeared 

When tliat transported guest thy charms beheld 

/\nd bowed beneath thine eyes enchanted sway. 

Ere long he found her cultivated mind 

Well-worthy of her persons radiant charms. 

And that her loved guitar.i\s dulcet sound 

Voicing sweet Andalusian roundelays, 

Entranced his soul with thoughts of joy and love 

Till bliss seemed near and life became divine; 

And that she led the blithesome minuets 

And Zarabandas of her Mexique train, 

With maichless grace, with joyful casranet, 

And delicate zapato, ill-concealed 

By th' 'se short skirts from his admiring eye. 

In such well-versed, he taught her rare coupees, 

The gay cotillon much renowned gavotte, 

The measures of the antique farandole, 

And trod with her, a la Provence likewise. 

The rigadon, to youthful lovers dear. 

Wherein the twain close-twining move alone. 

As time were cm, yet stronger gr?w the spell 



LOUISIANAIS 197 

111 which he found his captive soul enthralled. 

AVhat rapture 'twas that fairy form to view, 

And list the music of that gentle voice: 

Tho that mild nature cast a spell o'er all^ 

To low and great alike presenting still 

A sweet demeanor and a smiling face 

He yet with joy and secret rapture knew 

Her sweetest smile awaited his approach 

And when to him she i,poke, its gentlest terms, 

That voice assumed, its most endearing tones: 

Till more than friendliness their bosoms warmed? 

Till scarce reluctant, each at length beheld 

IvOve unconcealed within th^ir mutual eyes, 

I care not to detail that love at length, 

,Or on the carte du tendre, trace it'^ course, 

From this, its Hirth propitious ir. .le realm 

Of delicate attent'«ons, as tis said. 

Unto its acme on that mount divine, 

Once termed reciprocal affection, yet, 

I'd note its triumph and its crucial test. 

A mid 'the fragrance of the floral bowers 

That graced the patios of that quaint abode. 

At eve we roamed beneath the South Sea rose, 

The floral tree that blooms in summer-lands, 

And brightly decks the oDad Pacific's queen, 

Fair Otaheite and her sister isles. 

There oft we viewed the plains coleur-de-rose. 

One eve, reposing 'mong the clouds of gold 



jgH LOUISIANAIS 

And bending toward Balboa^s distant main, 
A setting 9nn his vagne attention held, 
And fancy pictnred in pacific seas, 
Tlie shores of tliose new-fonnd Hesperides, 
As fair as e^er Hellenic bards portrayed. 
He thus recalled the seamen worn and bronzed 
That fnrled for aye tlieir tempest-tattered sail, 
Songht ont Tahiti^s bowers and blooming maids. 
Nor wearied e^er of love and sunny skie.s. 
E^en by such charms he found his heart assailed. 
Less strange the hidalgo's cultured daughter, aye, 
And less barbaric far than tlie nude queens 
That lured at will the ^oil-worn mutineers 
Witliin Tahiti\s flower-decked coval zone; 
Yet quaint at times she ap|x?ared, and wildly fair, 
The fitting sovran of her tameless fields. 
Her sweet face /;till the same, she at times ap- 
peared 
In beauteous masquerade, with plume bedight, 
With snowy garments of panola woven 
And wondrous mantle of rare feather-work. 
From golden down of tropic birds contrived, 
Looking the Mexique m.iiden such as graced 
That vale when came the fell conquistador, 
And Cortez o'er Tezcuco's gh"stening lake, 
Beheld the Montezema's rock-built towers, 
Yet thinking that fair vision but a dream. 
Hut most slie seemed tlit Iberian maiden true. 



LOUISIANAIS 199 

lyess like the belles supine in royal bowers, 

Than the blythe queens of the payesas train^ 

That joyous dance in Andalusian groves. 

And even 'mong these I ween, was none so fair, 

As Manuela Zanchez de Navarre: 

La Tose-ferin; lovelier than fleur-de-lis, 

To my rapt thought, the queen of fair;y-laiid, 

Regent, imperial, with her native charms. 

No less she appeared, that witching one, with me 

There lingering 'neath the oleander tree. 

There urged to love, ''Mi amigo," she replied, 

"I own thy friendship dear, and yet/' she said, 

To speak as Guatamozin's child had spoken. 

Thou winged wanderer from Tlapallan's Isle, 

Canst thou with me remain? Forbear, I pray,'' 

^'Diilzura mia, doubt me not," he cried, 

^'Know, if I go, my heart must linger here," 

On that jornado he was not disguivSed, 

As afterwards, and from his crested helm, 

His corslet 'neath his roquelaur agleam. 

She knew he was a martial son of Franc?-, 

Knew well the land to which his faith was 

sworn; 
Knew if to him, her yielding heart she gave, 
She must, at length, her Texan clime fosake. 
How-e'er he pictured his wild Louisiane, 
In colors glowing, not to say o'erwrought, 



200 LOUISIANAIS 

Till thitherward she wandered in her dreams 

And iliouo'lil of it, with tender love likewise. 

With ardor thns, and love-given eloqnence, 

He nrged his snit and seeming nnrepelled, 

On her fair hand and flower- soft cheek at length 

Imprinted deep love\s signet with a kiss, 

And yeilding she became his fiancee. 

Tiieir fntnre life and home they then discnss«^d. 

Refering to his distant post, said he: 

"And dost thon think, mon ange gnardienne, 

Thy rod caducean adequate to chai'm 

That wilderness into thy fit abode?'' 

vShe with a smile: "Didst think th- llano's queen, 

Thus am I by my flattering friends oft called, 

Whose regal domain is. itself full wild, 

Must quake and tremble 'neath the woodknids' 

shade. 
Far be that thought from thee. Ah! we will now 
Unite our empires of the wood and plain, 
Regardless of the whims of P" ranee and Spain,, 
And build our home beside la roug-e riviere. 
Indeed,' she exclaimed/we'll bide delighted there. 
Where blend la Nouvelle France and Mejico, 
The first thine own, the last, my native Land.^^ 
"Then be it so," her amorado exckiimed, 
"On some fair height beside Sabloniere, 
Will we construct our fortress-chateau, there, 
Where oaks broad-br-anehing intercept the. glare 



LOUISIANAIS 2or 

Of summer suns, where grandiflora gleam, 

And symboling fair lovers death-darkened sphere, 

The cypress shades the myrtle's roseate bower. 

A fortnight thus on angel-wings passed by, 

Yet ne^'er was happiness wnthout allo}^ 

Of tears and bitter sorrow, and tis said: 

'^'The course of true love never did run smooth. 

Soon rose our star of ill; Anaya rose, 

The governer of Caouis; even he, 

A suitor fierce, albeit hapless, strove 

By fraud or force to win m}' Manuelle's hand. 

Unwearied, unabashed was he, than whom. 

Nor biythe Antinous, nor Eurymachus, 

Nor one of all the amorous train renowned, 

Th^t tireless wooed the sad Penelope, 

Was more invidious, more inveterate. 

yvlas of my advent, and prosperous suit 

At onct he learned and with demoniac rage, 

Sent hostile troops and bore me thence afar 

To Coahuila, Near its fortressed walls 

The postern opening phowed a prison cell 

Crowning the fort within; my abode ere long; 

By foes received, their enemy forsooth. 

An hour later in that darkened cell 

By rock-built walls I found my steps restrained. 

And night on wing of darkness came full soon. 

And from my grated window I beheld 

The distantplain, o'er-cast with deepening shades. 



202 LOUISIANAIS 

And caught the breeze flower-laden from the 

wolds. 
Immured and prisoned clos*?^, I watched till dawn, 
And Heaven's fair ensign beaming on me there ^ 
The star-gem'd crosier of the southern skies, 
Beheld no scene more sad, more dolorous. 
Than my alternate rage and pent-up grief, 
Or Manuelle, sorrowing in her distant home, 
And weeping vainly o'er IilT love-lorn state. 
The hours pissed on. At length the chieftain 

came, 
Soulless Anaya, prefect of the post. 
Who there, invidious, strove with promises 
Of fair rewards, and liberty forsooth, 
To o'ercome the pledge to Manuelita given. 
Therein deep-scorned he essayed dread menacings 
To enforce subservience to his dark designs, 
'For I', said he, Gaspardo Anaya, 1, 
El Gobornador, sole commandant here, 
In this far realm supreme, I truly vow. 
Unless thou yield and my inlents subserve, 
Thy life 'hall pay the penalty extreme." 
Yet bootless proved his threats and promisings. 
He then inveterate, sought to o'ercome with fear 
My Manuelita, threatening thus my life, 
If she dared disobey his mandate rude, . • 

Or scorn his suit. Albeit a maic so fair, 
And dove-like mild, her message awed his soul; 
For with firm voice and meanine look she said: 



LOUISIANAIS 203 



u 



Loving Sieur Juchereau, I cannot wed, 
While he doth live, and if ill-starred he die, 
While in those walls confined; this dagger's blade, 
By mine, or by mine agent's hand impelled, 
Shall well requite the fell Anaya's deeds 
And cleave his dastard heart." The days passed 

on: 
By strategies deep-laid she at length obtained 
From, tlie Aztec capital a stern rescript 
Transporting to the vice-king's high tribune, 
My hapless^ cause, to thwart Anaya's rage. 
Thithci- straightway o'er leagues unnumbered 

borne, 
I reached that far imperial capital, 
The worthy pride of Quetzel's ancier^- realm. 
Yet there the law delayed, and change of place 
Changed not my luckless state, brought not relief; 
Still in a dungeon chained I vainly sighed 
Till hope delusive changed to dark despair 
As yet ceased not my JAccustonied suffering. 
When, lo! in state the vice king's aide-de-camp, 
By chance as it 'were, appeared. He approached 

* my celL 
.■^^ Whom have we here," to me at length he spake. 
*'I, Juchereau de St Denis," I exclaimed. 
Praying for justice. Weereupon he paused. 
Startled, astonished; then advancing scan'd; 
More closely scan'd my face so W'»e-begonc, 
And sobbing cried: ^ 'Loose, Jailer, loose his chains,' 



204 LOUISIANAIS 

And over-joyed, in him I at length discerned^ 
My youth's best friend, Le Marquis de Lamage." 
Then trul}^ was I cheered by fovtune's smile, 
And by a revolution of her wheel 
E'en from the prison to tlie palace reared* 
For by that long-lost friend, unto the throne 
Conducted, he that occupied that throne, 
Became my frere and his chateau my home. 
There haply I had lived, but from afar. 
From the presidio's walls love beck'ning smiled. 
At length with gold supplied, with loving hearts^ 
A stately cortege and a royal steed, 
And letters-patent granting powers suprrme 
Over Anaya, homeward forth I fared. 
Nor many added toils did love require. 
As you may know the Iberian maiden rare 
With silken tresses of the raven's hue, 
With brilliant eye and sweet and rapturous ?mile, 
Ere long a loved and living bride became. 
Boundless the joys our formal bans supplied 
And boards homeric heaped with oxen slain, 
With casques of native pulque and rich wines, 
Whilst loving guests in tribes convened. Howe'er, 
:V stronger bond than Hymen's blent our lives. 
Devotion deeply -tried our clasped hands joined. 
Divine that potent tie; the pearly chain 
Round Cupid and fair Psyche thrown was ours, 
While winged loves attendant hovered nigh, 



LOUISIANAIS 205 

Anci to our hearts sang epatlialamies. 

Florida y Dorado] mystic realms' 

Enwreathed with flowers, enriched with naiive 

gold, 
Whereto the dreamer^s thought transformed our 

shore; 
To whom the fair Floridian coast became 
The Bimin% where chrystal foi.ntains pure, 
Their youthful rose to faded cheeks restored; 
AVhile southward ^mong Andean heights arose 
Manoa glittering with it's towers of gold. 
The passing centuries hi? fault revealed 
A.nd banished quite the Iberian's cherished dream, 
And yet reposhig 'mong those fragrant bowers, 
Amid the teeming gardens of the west. 
With scarce a want by nature unsupplied, 
Methought, perchance blest realms were there re- 
vealed, 
Or that bright kingdom, El Dorado, or 
The Algonquin's paradise, the hunting-ground, 
Far toward the sunset 'neath Sowanna's rule. 
At ease, amid sunbright, edenic scenes, 
With love delightful roving at my side, 
Such then the form my varying life assumed. 
Ah, Manuelita, by the Iberians named 
''La Reyna del Llano', magic queen, 
In beauty reign hig o'er a happy sphere; 
Her royal seat, a plain adobe's halls, 



2o6 LOUISIANAIS 

Rude dwelling-plact upon the liillsi'des green, 
Her subjects were it's loving occupants; 
Ytt not tlie conquering Zenobia, 
Fair eastern qu?en luxurious, auiid 
Palmyrian groves and sculptured marble halls, 
Nor Cleopatra coursing Cyduns' stream, 
With silken sails and bannerets of gold; 
More perfect swa}^ or greater charms possest. 
Still, Manuela, still thy regal loveliness, 
Proved greater as thy heart was fully known. 
Thy charms resistless when no longer veiled, 
And wlien departing I belield thy face, 
Thy love reigned o'er mv breast with fuller sway, 
'I'hnii when [ clasi)ed thy throbbing breast to 

mine, 
And hailed thee first mine own, ma belli- ces belles. 
1 lirough all that sea.^on's brilliant, o-lowino^ davs. 
We lived enrapaired in each other's arms. 
Or roving 'mong those floral solitudes. 
Long days fraught with the enrapturing silences, 
vStillness unbroken, but by words of love, 
Rolled by, for that ronnntic seat of arms 
Nestling above the islet's orange groves, 
W'as now forgotten, and our life retired 
Scarce knew companionship beyond our own. 
i hat daily life well-nigh edenic seemed: 
Oft-times we trod the island's orange groves. 
Or ch-eamt in grots beneath its terraced shore. 



LOUISIANAIS 207 

O'erlookiiig vasty fields that sighing waved; 
Where once, ere ocean from the plain retired, 
The mermaid woke her mystic melody, 
And strewed the sca-shells o'er the caverned floor. 
The chief of marvels on that wondrous isle 
Was a rude grotto by what race contrived, 
None of the neighboring tribes could e'en sur- 
mise. 
]^>Iound builders, or some ocean-hirg of old, 
Reared it, I ween, in centuries long-gone, 
While ^eas primeval rolled about that shore. 
Conveying thither from th^ South Sea isles, 
The Aztec tribes: and yet did some contend 
That natUi'e and not art, fashioned its walls 
Of m 'Ssy stone, the doorw^ay's simple arch, 
And e'en the roof's concave. There oft we 

strayed. 
To show tl]e figure just wherein ye've made 
Odyseus fortune mine, (except in grief), 
Whilst in that bower and in that presence rare; 
I oft recalled Calypso's grot divine, 
And oft that nymph of old Meonides, 
So well portrayed; so beauteously enrobed: 
^' Whose swelling loins a radiant zone embraced, 
Witli flowers of gold; whose under-robe unbound. 
In snowy waves flowed glittering on the ground." 
Yet, truthfully, salvo pudore, I own 



2o8 LOUISIANAIS 

This beauteous picture of our Manuelle just 
As to her form and swelling loins alone. 
Thus with my queen I viewed her fair domain. 
Those native villages to her recalled 
Old Andalusia and her cities five; 
Fair Seville, Gades, Cordova, 
Malaga and the glory of the Moor. 
Oft rang the adobes there with festal sounds, 
And rife with beauty's bloom, whence then arose 
The rel-eck's, the guitara's symphony, 
With blended sounds of reveling and joy. 
Though of simplicity Arcadian, 
Unvaried plenty o'er those realms prevailed: ' 
Don Pedro numbered 'mong his stores withal 
The shLcp and cattle of a thousand hills. 
There nature's gardens every want supplied: 
From her green fields tliat boundless waved be- 
neath, , 
Came wild-clad ;iatives with their chickawicks 
O'erfilled with purslain, fruits and flowers rare. 
There reigning still with Egil's ancient arms, 
The hunter sought the herded buffalo; 
Yet scarce from need amid that teeming land. 
The richest viands graced our rustic board 
And e'en luxurious w^s that summer-home; 
And yet each carkless native reveling free 
In fair abundance 'neath those genial skies, 
As sweet repasts and bounteous wealth enjoyed. 



LOUISIANAIS 209 

O'er all the north-ward plain that state prevailed, 

While south-ward in still fairer vales enchained, 

The Mexicano wrought his pulque wine, 

Or of the cochineal a crimson dye, 

Or summer vestments from the gossamer 

That there adorns his fair algadon tree. 

There without toil, or culinary fires, 

The broad magney pours forth a beverage 

That oft supplants the product of the vine." 

Recalling thus the red canarias, 

That tempting glowed beside our worthy knight. 

He drained a chalice, and his tale pursued. 

^'Delightful days amid the chase we passed. 

When mounted fair upon her Mexique steed. 

La Manuelita, by my side, traversed 

The floral pampas gathering the blooms 

Whose radiance adorned the summer-fields: 

And I in those poetic scenes entranced, 

Forsook vain forms and fashions there unknown, 

While in oblivion lapsed my former cares, 

And thoughts of fame on European shores. 

Unnoted there the circling seasons passed 

Until I found a score of moons had risen, 

Since first I trod that isle's enchanted shore. 

Yet as the bard hath said: ''Voisins, 

Sont nos plaisirs, et nos chagrins.'' 

In grief, at length, I bade my love adieu, 

To seek once more the distant world of strife. 



2IO LOUISIANAIS 

Yet evi^r from those wide hesperian fields, 
When west-winds waft their snbtle harmony, 
And from days portal, shines the evening star, 
Come memories sweet as flowers by zephyrs borne, 
That speak of her wh>se heart is yet mine own; 
Whose smile of love doth make the wilderness 
A land of flowers and a realm of gold. 
"V^iveit la joi, le bagatelle I'.imour;" 
Echoed our paladins, the cure too, 
In the same breath exclaimed: ''Romantic love! 
Thrice blest the souls that such fond dreams en- 

How could 3^ou then such blissful love forsake?'^ 
"A question grave" replied Sieur Juchereau, 
''As vexed learned minds and tried the Court of 

Love. 
In la Provence, in days of chivalry, 
Was reared that high tribunal. Justice there, 
In pride and power upheld the even scale. 
At Love's behest sent forth saiset arret. 
And with strong arm enforced the rightful claim. 
One cause perplexed the Court of Love full long. 
Three suitors strove to win a lady fair, 
With varied arts her yielding heart to gain. 
While to the first she gave her sweetest smile, 
Another's hand she held in secret clapped. 
Nor might the third repine; her slippered foot, 
In wantonness was prest upon his own. 



LOUISIANAIS 211 

Thrice dou'Htful task to name the favorud cause. 
As great my task, as difficult the choice, 
Between Lovers smile and Duty"*s urgent call. 
Eut soon resolving all my doubts and fears. 
Will Manuelle seek the pathless wild and me. 
In wildcrnes'^es lorn to live and love, 
And eke display the fortitude sublime 
Of him that smiled upon his couch of fire. 
He said and while the harper'^s instrument 
P.esponsive rung, sang feelingly and welL 
Thu^ flowed the lay: 

La Reine de mes Amours. 
M}^ queen bides in a flower}^ land, 

In western fields afar; 
The sunset glows at her command. 

And eke the evening star. 
Her sceptre sways the land and sea; 

Her smile the heart allures; 
Ma rose ferin des prairies, oui, 

La Reine des mes Amours. 
She roves the gardens of the west; 

She wards the gat?s of day; 
And over fields forei^er blest, 

Extends her regal sway. 
Her sceptre sways the land and sea; 

Her smile the heart allures; 
Ma rose ferin des prairies, oui, 
La Reine de mes Amours. 



2 12 LOUISIANAIS 

'Tis thou, belle amie, from yon fields, 

Thus lightening earth I ween, 
To thee my heart its homage yields, 

And finds thee Ftill its queen. 
Though in Languedoc and Languedoui, 

Unsung, that smile allures; 
Ma rose ferin des prairies, oui, 
La Reine de mss amours. 
Bravo! Bravo'! exclaimed his loving freres, 
And highly pleased the assembly then adjourned. 



Chap. XVI. "La Cour d'Amour^ 
Or, The Louisianian's Hall 



Fair land! of chivalry the old domain ^ 

* :£: * ^ 

'/ houo^h not for th e -with classic shorts to vie 
In ci,arr/ib that fix th' enthusiast's fenslve eye; 
Yet hast th.ni scenes of beauty, richly draught 
With all that -wakes the glow of lofty thought. 

Mrs. Hemans' Ahericerrage. 

vSjiiie time thereafter to the sound of harp 
And citharistic song, (sinct in his train, 
'J'he govern< r then numbered the gray bard, 



LOUISIANAIS 213 

And his fair daugliter), tlie conseil d^etat 

In form convened. Our Jean in chair of state. 

And now of mature age, appeared in troth 

A stringent chief, yet social and suave. 

When thus convened in his white-walled chateau, 

His famed hotel, the assemblage there appeared 

Much like the household of some pincely duke. 

Or feudal lord of old: the officials there 

Being mostly still, scions of his great house, 

His kinsmen and his freres; his word was law. 

Albeit with the consent of all he ruled 

And their affection was his title still, 

To that supreme control. When thus convened, 

A pleasing incident varied somewhat 

The accustomed routine there. Aye, sooth to 

say, 
An incident romantic and unique. 
Before the chcif iia his baronial state, 
Were led together, 'mid a smiling train, 
The errant princess and the prairie queen; 
Each with her loving lord. A joyous crew. 
And in good sooth, on many a royal throne 
Sat forms less lovely than in simple ?late, 
Stood there within the "Louisianian's hall- 
Presenting his fair lad}/, Sieur D'Aubant 
Came forth with her and to the chair announced: 
'''Obedient to the order of your grace 
I here present the princess of Brunswick 



214 LOUISIANAIS 

He paused, and Sieiiv Jean, from his chair of state 
Descending, shook the hand of Sieur D'Aubant, 
And likewise that of vSicur de St Denis, 
And gravely kissed each of the smiling brides. 
Needless to say the gallant Frenchmen all, 
And their sweet ladies, quaint and debonair, 
Paid to lhe errant princess, queenly still, 
And to la Manuelita, their devoirs; 
And with deep gratulations hailed them there. 
Then Sieur D'Aubant the fair finale gave 
Of th<i sad story he had left half-told, 
While every ear attended, and each eye 
Roved from the speaker to the winsome face 
Of his fair heroine, continued he: 
"I've heretofore related how and why 
Carlotta, present here, tliough fair and good, 
Wedded a bestial shape of royal name. 
Regardful of her wish, I'd briefly speak 
Upon a theme that ever give.^ her pain. 
Her life with the young Blue-beard of our tale. 
The prince besotted, was even such, I ween, 
As one of God's good angel's had endured. 
Linked for a season to i^ fitmd of hell. 
Though enshrined in lordly halls, the ills she en- 
dured 
Wero such as crush the life from out young 

li carts. 
At len<jlh the climax came: in brutal rae>'e, 



LOUISIANA IS 215 

He shocked her with opprobrious epithets, 
A.nd even with blows, whereat her nride araie, 

' A. 

y\iid at the risk of life itself rebelled. 
A Bluebeard truly, he forbade her then 
To sum moil or inform the folloAvers 
Of her brave sire, the latter being drccased: 
Forbade her even, and npoii pain of death. 
To leave the abode accursed of royalt}' 
And cruelty wherein her spirit piner'. 
To escape his presence and his wrath alike, 
She dared, though weak, to invade the charnel- 
house., 
And brook, even there, the gorgon form o\ death. 
She dared, like Juliet, with a lethal drug 
Arrejrt her senses and in death-like trance, 
Sleep lifeless in the coffin and the tomb, 
^Till a confederate', in the dead of night 
Seeking her there, applied the antidote. 
And, Lazarus-like, :n shroud and grave-clothes 

wrapped. 
She arose, as at the Saviors call, arose; 
And 'scaped, though faintuig, from the house of 

death. 
Of tiiis event, and in due tinn^, informcvl; 
I ap|)rised her of my deathless love unchairged, 
And of the rustic home that ()v<Lr-sea, 
Awaited her, 1 eyond the reach of kings; 
Where now, in peaceful bliss, we live and luvt.. 



2i6 LOUISIANAIS 

Then Sieiir de St Denis his smih'ng bride 

Presented in like form, at the request 

Of M. Bienville and his comarades. 

He briefly told them of his latest trip, 

Jornado, as 'twas called, to Mexico, 

And his return thence with his prairie-queen. 

When love had last recalled him to her side. 

He essa3^ed with others the wide wilderness. 

At Natchitoches procuring cavarans, 

Departed once again for Mejico. 

Reaching a village of the Asinais, 

Encamped and there in native lodge euFconsed, 

Adream on couch of bear-skin, he beheld 

His love, as twere, in visions of blest realms. 

He dreamt, and ere the lagging dawn arose. 

Impelled by hopes and fears unutterable, 

And his companions loitering there, alone. 

With scant escort at least, through frowning 

wilds, 
And the Commanche's haunt, he sought her side. 
Soon from her side, enforced by duty's call, 
Again I roved and in far Mejico, 
Was held once more in strict imprisonment, 
A spy and foe inimical esteemed, 
For now Linarez' duke no longer reigned. 
Albeit the childish haunt and natal town 
Of Manuellr, nion Ange Guardienne, 
Was that fair city by Tezcuco's lake, 



LOUISIANAIS 217 

Delightful in her mount-encircled vale; 
That views the dread volcano wreathed in fires, 
And ai his side that mountain-figure rare, 
Prone on the heights with death-like face up- 
turned, 
Tht Pallid Lady in her shroud of snGW\ 
And there again c'ame fortune smiled; even there, 
He found kinsmen and friends forever leal, 
That loved him for his lady's sake, and these, 
O'er all the viceroy's servitors prevailed, 
And freed the captive from his chains once more. 
Yet not without great pains. To Monterey, 
In the tierras temperadores, the foe 
Had sent strict orders to arrest his flight, 
When heedful]}^ he approached the tow^n, but first, 
A ntw-found kinsman's hacienda, where 
The rock-walled casa hedged with olives smiled. 
The kinsman hailed him and due warning gave. 
Post haste he fled and foiled the foe's design. 
From the Presidio soon, his love with him, 
He hastened hither through the wilderness, 
But ere he reached his distant goal, 
Tlie sylvan fortress by Sablouiere, 
He fared but Jll; of meagre trains despoiled. 
He arrived at length as did the brave Geraint, 
That blameless knight of i\rthur's table-round. 
Who with his Enid safe behind him rode. 
And single-handed dared the walderne^s. 



2i8- LOUISIANAIS 

Romantic truly was that mimic court, 
When on that self-same eve, a fete cccurred, 
And every class appeared. When Louisiane, 
The Indian maiden with her buskined crew, 
Were sten in state, and, without stint, admired: 
When, with the taste of those poetic days. 
In masquerade she typed our forest state, 
And wreathed in flowers, 'neath white magnolia 

blooms, 
yVmid her smiling train, received with grace. 
The cultured dame and eke the woodland belle. 
There then, bedecked with crowns, our queens of 

song, 
Typeing the Teuton and the Latin race, 
The east and west, the old world and the new, 
Smiled on the new-found slate. Then music rose, 
The minstrel's harp by a new-found lutt enforced, 
Enchanted all; and to those dulcet strains, 
The knights and dames, and their attendants all, 
Danced minuets and gavottes; and forms as fair. 
And glittering chiefs, as stately and as brave. 
As France, or earth affords, commingled there. 

Conclusion. 
But time wore on. At length the forest-lord 
Wns stripped of power, through his rival's calum- 
ny; 
The mighty valley and its buskined tribes 



LOUISIANAIS 219 

'itli grief beheld him leave their troubled shore^ 
Threatened with strife and dire calamities. 
Full soon were h^ard portentous notes of ilh 
Where late the woodland worl(f rejoiced to see 
Athwart that vale outstretched, the bow of hope, 
Prognostic, hapl3^, of Elysian scenes; 
The heavens grew dark and clouds portentous 

frownecL 
Disorder reigned until the scene appeared 
Like Milton^s dream of chaos and old night, 
A.nd, as I deem, the guileless chief unskilled, 
Succeeding the young Lion of the South, 
Stood like the arbiter, whose judgments vain. 
But made confusion worse. The natives rose, 
The Natchez first, ere lon^ the Chicasaws, 
The movement grew till even the kindly tribes^ 
The potent Choc taws and the Natchitoches, 
The vengeful hatchet raised, athirst for blood, 
And moved in conceri 'gainst the Gallic towns. 
A miracle, as ^twere, those posts preserved, 
Except the fairest, the most favored one, 
Ill-omened Rosalie! whose birth ill-starred, 
Attracted first our muse. Even then 'twas seen 
That shore was darkeni'd ^neath the frown of fate. 
Some seasons passed ere }^et the dread decree 
Of the three fatal sisters was fulfilled. 
A decade sped, and it accomplished stood. 
To accomplish it, and thy predestined f^ll, 



220 LOUISIANAIS 

O, Rosalie! they but removed from power 
That chief, of measures mild in common life, 
In warfare called *'the Lion of tde South;'^ 
But placed o^er thee, in lieu of nobler forms, 
The vile hulk of the dri.nken fool, Choparte; 
He, of thought chaotic and potations deep, 
From its dark lair goaded the beast of strife; 
The howling savage from his hut defied, 
Till nameless terrors clothed the wilderness. 
And i-hapes demonian thronged its realm of 

gloom. 
Too late the French perceived their vital need 
Of the exiled chief beneath whose hand alone 
Those wilds were hushed to peace, whose art sti- 

preme, 
With three-score hunters had o^er-awed a race, 
That rising now with brandished arms defied 
Thf Choctaws thousands, and the powers of Gaul. 
But Rosalie, bought with a price of blood, 
Beset b3^ evil passions from its birth, 
And reared 'neath savage cursings, dark and dire; 
Was destined from its building both to fall 
And prove the author of a nation's doom. 
Ah, Rosalie' ne'er sadder fate befel 
Lorn wanderers on the "dark and bloody ground;" 
Than chanced thy sons upon the Natchez' shore. 
Oace favored village by the Father Stream, 
The muse recalls .thy desolated grounds, 



LOUISIANAIS 22 1 

Anrl o'er those harro\ving scene sin nitmory, 

Will ling"er still, despite the lapse of time. 

Ill omened, 'mid a hostile nation reared, 

Whose treacherous deeds and fell disguise were 

known: 

At length the savage, full of hate arose, 

And brandished the red axe of massacre, 

And smote the helpless 'neath the eye of day. 

\ deed of darkness still; with care devised. 

And long in hallowed secrcsy revolved; 

'Till one lethean stroke impelled it's doom. 

'Most horrid farm if strife' War's Dragon Rouge 

Ne'er heralded worse deeds. Gore-reeking biaves! 

Wliat though some grievous ills their tribe op- 

prest, 
Shall red assassins, worthiest of the name. 

In lapfe assail and strik*" both friend and foe? 

Of that fell hand the chief full worthy seemed. 

His treacherous scheme of death had e'en amazed 

The assassins' prince, that hoary sheik of old, 

Whose hidden crimes affrighted eastern kings. 

A monsler foui though termed an orb of day, 

Firndlike, accomplished here'his vengeance dire. 

His scheme of murder in his fane matured, 

His secret guarded by the flamen's care. 

On that dread day of vengeance, dark and dire, 

He smoked at ease a peaceful calumet, 

And viewed the palhd face.*- of the slain 



222 LOUISIANAIS 

About his feet in gory ( ircles ranged. 

Short time sufficed to effect the deed of death: 

The rising £un beheld the fortress' fall; 

The village wrapped in flames; while shrieking 

braves 
O'er-ran the shore, with wine and strife enflamed. 
And danced round pyramids of heads up-pi1ed, 
And wreaked fell vengeance on the mangled slain. 
When shadowy night o'er-cast the deathful scene, 
Yet fearful grew the shouts of revelry, 
And sounds cemoniac smote the startled ear, 
As though joul fiends had thronged the gloom 

of ddath 
D'er-spreading pall-like that wild riv?r's shore, 
Where late the queen, the royal village stool. 
'\'Ii I the all pervading gloom of that .sad timt', 
The second hero of onr dual tale, 
Undaur.ted still, at his far post remained. 
vS'eur de St. Denis by Sabloniere, 
( )i the dim border of our shadow-land, 
I-L.d built a royal seat, and round it reared 
Tie basiy of the forest kimydoui wide 
\V lose varying fortunes, ni our after-piece, 
.-\,-e d.velt upon with pride; yet he, even he, 
T le errant kuieht and sylvan king withal, 
Was ther., vvath his fair prairie queen, b^^sieged 
]>v a .-.core of tribe.s that ever there to^(;re 
Hi 1 ijllovjj him witli all tlien painid bravvs. 



LOUISIANAIS 223 

The prevalent disorders of the time, 
Induced by hands unskilled, invaded even, 
And sorely tried his sylvan monarchy. 
Tht world of savage life, including even 
Tne Choctaw, 'gainst the Oklanahullo at last 
Embittered, rose, and as an angry sea 
Engulfed or threatened every Gallic post; 
And, gathering fotce, in dire ferocity. 
Encompassed even the trembling palisades 
Of the big village by the Father-St^ream. 
Such the results of our good knight's recall. 
And thus the scene m darkness closed: the vale, 
As by the warden from it's gateway v^'ewed, 
Was then with night and threatening gloom o'er- 

cast. 
The embryonic state there bodied forth. 
Amid surrounding darkness, to his eye, 
Forbidding seemed; and, for the nonce, appeared 
Barbaric still and of most monstrous form. 
Ah! well I ween, 'twas with dejected mien. 
The warden of the gateway turned at last, 
And backward gazing left our mysitic vale. 
Nor ken'd as yet the light of coming day. 
Albeit, the worthy instrument of fate, 
Had he there labored in the realm of shade. 
With cosmoplastic hand; and given form, 
liKipient yet decisi^e, to the state, 
Bastd on the v.ist world-valley of our song. 



224 LCUHSIANAIS 

The seers had there beheld a kingdom rise, 
Commensurate with that mighty vale of vales, 
y\nd greatest therefore of all earthly powers: 
With clearer ken may we that state behold. 
Since it now stands a fact accomplished, a^^e, 
And greater even than ir's builders' dreams. 
'Tvvere meet, in a brief epode to our song, 
Tc observe thai state, the greatest of all time. 

Upon our hero's exit, as his queen 
Went not with him to France and fair Paris, 
The bard opines that 'ncath the forest-flowers, 
Like her whose requiem in her last song 
Was hymned erewhile, in some lone grave she 

lay: 
Or else, the undying genius of our vale, 
vShe but vvithdrcvv from mortal sense and sight, 
And 'mong our angtl-guardians, ever fair; 
In choirs invisible, her post resumed. 






LOUISIANAIS 225 

Address. 

Our Progress and Destiny. 

A Divertisement. 
We now introdnce our orator who will furnish 
us, we hope, an agreeable diversion di.ring this 
hiatus in our song; the following heing extracts 
from an address delivered by him, some time since, 
before the Central High School referred to in the 
preceding pages of this work. We will add that 
this discussion on the subject above given will 
hardly be considered out of place in this connec- 
tion as the acquisition of the World's Garden had 
more effect than any other event in accelerating 
che progress and in determining the destiny, both 
of our great valley, and of our country ai large. 
Ladies and Gentlemen: 

I take great pleasure in responding to the 
invitation of the worthy facult}^ of this promising 
institution, in contribming my proratum to the 
speechifying and, presumabl}^ to the interest of 
this occasion, and in stanc'ing again on this his 
toric ground. Ft Jessup, in it's pristine day, was 
in the ^'st military district of the south-west; the 
raililai}^ capital of the states of Ala, Miss., La, 
and Ark. Many distinguished 'soldiers then fre 
quented it's scenes; and one, subsequently presi- 
dent, as commandant, made it his home for a se- 



226 LOL'iSlANAlS 

lies of years. On the hill up yonder stood the lof- 
tiest and most conspicuous object about the fort. 
The stars and stripes there waved on it's flag- 
staff at a dizzy height. Under the floating fclds of 
th it significant and historic banner, while the reg- 
i:nental bands phiyed the anthem suggested by 
its beauty, the soldier's bosom swelled with pride, 
?t he maichcd amid the throneinp- ranks of his 

o o 

comrades on t'^t parade-ground. From these scenes 
that heroic band passed to tlie confluLS of Mexi- 
co, bearing wilh them the flag of their country 
and th«-:r pride: tht Jr tar-spangled banner! now 
the appropriale emblem of the greatest and most 
portentous of world-powers; each of whose em- 
blematic ,i;tars represents a powerful free state, and 
whcs-:^ glittering galaxy, as a whole, typifies an 
august confederation that ha.s no parallel in the 
past, arid is the most interesting political pioduct 
of the modern age. The remaining insignia upon 
its /o',ds, the Uiysticil stripes that complete its 
ensemble, properly suggests a section of the bow 
of hope, delighting the eye with its combination of 
col-'ts, and smiling upon the blood-stained earth 
with its: promise of better things to come. 

Such sentiments are not unworthy of 
the truest and bravest southerner; inasmuch as 
tlie l}rave are always magnanimous, and as we 
arc all Americans again, in lact as well as name. 



LOUISIANAIS 227 

Washington, in his farewell address to his fellow- 
citizens said: the name American, which belongs 
to you in your collective capacity; must ever ex- 
cite the just pride of patiiotism more than any ap- 
pellation derived from local discriniina.tions. 

And I oruess the old gentleman was right about 
it. At any rate our southern people paid a heavy 
penalty for neglecting his advice during the late 
unpleasantness, and i'.fter such an experience as 
we then had, it could only be j^ome fellow with a 
badly shaped head that would have us again dis- 
regard the sage advice of the father of his Coun- 
try. Let uts then subordinate the thought that we 
aie Louisianians, or southerners, or westerners, 
to the higlier consideration that we are also Amer- 
cans; members of that great family of mankind 
that infallibly has yet a mighty mission to accom- 
plish, wiih it's heaven-inspired ideals on the sub 
ject of equal rights and of civil and religious lib- 
< rty: and it may be possible that the mission of 
our people will yet be manifested in connection 
with the growth and development of the great re- 
public of the world and of the ages. In keepmg 
with our religious beliefs it can hardly be doubt- 
ed that PioviJence exercises an influence in con- 
nection with great national and world movemtnts. 
I accordingly believe it has seconded the efforts 



228 U)1'1S1ANA1S 

of our people in conuuctiiig this great popular 
governnient; in indirectly raising up th(^ myriad 
free states of the New World, and, with their sup- 
port, carrying on it's crusade in behalf of the 
rights of niari: and, in due time, that mighty and 
adequate results will be manifested. Cherish- 
ing such convictions, it becomes unneces.sary to 
give more particular reasons for my faUh in our 
political institutions, and ni}- pride in that large 
and interesting family known as the Ameiican 
people. Bat in confirmation of that belief, I desire 
to call attention to tlie achievements of our people 
hitlierto, c.nd to their impending destiny, ar. fore- 
seen in the past and foreshadowed by current e- 
vents. The achievements of our people liave been 
foreshowr. in prophetic visions. A recent poet 
sings: Circling Sol his steps shall count 

Henceforth from Thule's western mount, 

And lead new rulers round the seas 

FrDiJi furthest Cassiterides. 

Found is now the Golden Tree, 

Solved tlie Atlantic Mysi-ery. 
It is an interesting bit of historic lore that re- 
fers to what is here termed the Atlantic Mystery. 
It is a remarkable fact that the land that now 
bids fair to embody the ideals of statesmen and 
the dreams of poets on the subject of a happy 
conamonwealth, was unwittingly made the scene 
of tliose visions. Our land was their lost Atlantis. 



LOUISIANAIS 227 



Louisiana, Bought and Sold; 
Or, Emancipation by Purchase. 

A Divertisement. 



Wh-i^n Louisiana was purchased, while it fol- 
lowed natur-^lly that she became the property of 
the purchaser; yet, through the magnanimity of 
that vendee, she went not into slavery but into 
the enjoyment of liberty under the law; the enjoy- 
ment of advantages and privileges she had never 
before known. By that act, Louisiana and her 
family of rustic provinces became identified with 
the large and interesting community of fr^.e 
American states. That her purchase was really 
her emancipation is shown, I think, hv a resume 
of the advantages and tendencies cf that nation 
of which she now forms a com]^^onent part; and, 
as our divertisements have hitherto been chiefly 
in the form of orations, we accordingly rrintio- 
duce our public speaker, a 4th of July orator 
this time, for the purpose of showing the advan- 
tages and manifest destiny of the American peo- 
ple; and incicentally, the blessings bestowed 
upon Louisiana by her admission into that na- 
tion. We bespeak for him a respectful hearing, 
and for his views, the thoughful consideration of 
our people. 



228 LOUISIANAIS 

Ladies and Gentlenien: 

I desire now to portay the ad- 
vantai>-es and tendencies of that laro'e and inter- 
esting- famil}^ known as the American people; 
and I cannot more properly do so than by callino^- 
attention to their achievements and by pointing 
to their impending destiny, as foreseen in the 
past, and foreshadowed by cup'ent events- 

The acheivements of our people have been 
foreshown in prophetic visions. A recent poet 
sing-s: 'Circling S3I his steps shall count 

Hencef -rth from Thule\s wester"u mounts 

And levd new ruler."^ round the seas 

From furthest cassiterides. 

Found is now the Golden Tree, 

vSolved the Atlantic Mystery." 

It IS an interesting bit of historic lore that re- 
fers to wiiat is here called ''the Allaniic Myste- 
ry." It is a remarkable fact that the land that 
now bids fair to embo ly die ideals of statesmen 
and dreams of poets on the subject of a happy 
commonwealth was unwittingly made the scene 
of those dreams and ideals from time immemori- 
al. It can hardly be doubted that the old tradition 
of the lost Atlantis referred to America, which 
had once been known to the Old World, but was 
afterwards well-nigh forgotten At any rate the 
description of that land was suggestive of ours. 
'Twas about five-hundred 3 ears B. C. when 



LOUISIANAIS 225 

Solon, the Solomon of Greek legislation, recieve 
that ancient legend, and made that far and mys 
t'c shore the seat cf an ideal commonwealth. L 
is worthy of passing notice that our country tliuj 
made ii's advent as the fabulous dream-world oi 
the wisest of the seven sages of antiquity. Thai 
captivating theme was afterwards seized upon b\ 
-Plato, the father-sage, and made the seat of hij- 
far-visioned and dimly-discerned Republic oj 
Love. At a later age, we find the same legenda- 
ry realm made the seat of More's Utopia, and of 
Bacon's New Atlantis. Incredulous as we may 
be, we involuntarily grow a little superstitious 
when we find our country thus pointed to in pro- 
phetic vision, and dreamt of as the ideal govern- 
ment by those who are said to have possessed the 
loftiest intellects cf the past: 

"Plato, tlie wise, and large. browed Verulam, 
The first of those who know." 

And what.-have been our country's accomplish- 
ments thus far? Have they been unworthy of 
these high prognostications? What was it that 
dispell ?d the di.rk age? It is said that gloouiy 
period extended from the year 495 A. D. to the 
year 1495: or, as I take it, from the complete es- 
tabli.shment of civil and religious despotism in 
the Roman Empire, to the wonderful awaktning 
caused by the discovery of xAmerica. 



230 LOUISIANAIS 

It is ti'ue the discovery of gunpowder and the 
printing-press occurred aboul the time of Colum- 
bus' discovery, and helped the good work along. 
Yet, even with the aid of gunpowder, and musket 
balls thrown in, the peasants of Europe haven't 
yet put down their oppressive lords, and on that 
side of the water the printing-press even now is 
throttled by the ip.-:e dixit of kings, and the in- 
dex expurgatorius of the catholic faith. Un- 
der the iron hand of the feudal lord, and the 
hideous nightmare of the reigning superstition 
the persons and minds of the common ptople of 
Europe had been most effectually enslaved. 
Those evil influences co-operating together had 
raised an insurmountable barrii-r in the pathway 
of progress; had had the effect of preventing the 
normal development of mankind for a thousand 
years: and it seemed at last that the God of good- 
ness found it necessary to bring a new continent 
to the light; to transplant the human race to a 
new world and give it a new departure, before 
the pernicious and age-old customs of medieval- 
ism could be successfully shaken off. It may 
indeed be a fact that the advent of our country 
dispelled the shadows of that bodeful age. 

It next furnished the world an edifying exam- 
ple when after the manner of the infant Hercules, 
and while still in its swaddling clothes, it stran- 



LOUISIA.NAIS 231 

gled the hydra of British tyranny, and saved it's 
people from servility and serfdom. xAt the same 
time it went a step further than any goverment 
ever did before and freed the minds of it's people 
from religious slavery, by abolishing the invid- 
ious union of church and state. These accom- 
plishments alone are amply sufficient to render 
our constitution immorial in the annals of good 
o^overnment. 

After accomplishing these great measures, it 
proceeded to show by the wonderful enterprise of 
its people that the secret of progress lies in the 
lioerty and enlightenment of the citizen, or what 
Gibbon refers to as ''tht competition of a free 
state," 

The free states of the world have always been 
the most progressive and enterprising. Witness 
those of Gx-eece and Rome in ancient times: those 
• f the Venetians, Florentines and Genoese in the 
middle ages, and England and, above all, Ameri- 
ca in modern days. But of all the nations of the 
past, whether bond or free, the leader of the free 
states of ancient Greece made the highest record 
for progress in the arts of sciences: and it did so 
when it rose, and reigned ^nd scintillated with 
intellectual brilliancy during the age of Peri- 
cles. I believe Plutarch, in his life of that far- 
seeing statesman, says he attempted to draw the 



232 LOUISIANAIS 

di.scordciiit Greek states into a union like our own 
for the purpose of preventing internal discord ^ 
and exttjrna! danger. 

If tliat had been accoraulished the course of 
hisior\- might liave been different. If they had 
oreanizeil such a confederation, and had been en- 
:ib!ed iliereby to maintain the rate of progress 
tliey kept up during tht age; or such as the 
American people liave maintained during this 
century; the imagination can hardly conceive of 
the height to which our humani'.y would have 
attained during the milenniums that have since 
elapsed. But they f<^iled and fell. 

Two thousand years later, liowtver^ we find the 
Athennms even over -reached and outdone as a 
progressive people, when we beliold the free states 
of America, with their untrammelled genius^ 
illuminating and irradiating the old earth with 
the phenomenal developments of the modem ^ge. 
It can hardly be denied that the Amrrican people 
have been the prime-movers of the w^onderfnl 
light and progress cf the century that has just 
elapsed. But we need uot go to the Old World 
to study the effects of equal rights upon a state 
or nation. The Province of Louisiana wdiile un- 
der the sw^a}^ of European dt spots, although the 
appropriate seat of wild romance, yet languished 
and often retrogated in strength; and during the 



LOUISIANAIS 235 

centiir}' of it's existence as an appendage of the 
Christian and Catholic crowns, in spite of all ef- 
forts to foster it, consisted of a few straggling 
settlements well-nigh l'»st in the western wilder- 
ness: but upon it's acquisition by the freemen 
of America, a wonderful change in it's condition 
immediately ensued; and during the century of 
it's existence as a community of free states, it 
has astonished the world with it's rapid progress 
and it's wonderful development. We may accord- 
ingly congratulate ourselves, Fellow-Louisia- 
nians, on the fact that while we, 01^ our predeces- 
sors, were bought with a price, our great Garden 
of the World was, ))y that act, imbued with, the 
spirit of liberty and progress and made 'o flourish 
beyond measure and blossom as the rose. 

In addition t > being progressive like other 
free governments, ours is of more practical form 
than any licretofore known. This advantage 
is indicated b^' our national motto, E pluribus 
unum; out of the many, one; and lies in the fact 
thai we are many, and at the same time but one; 
that is to say, in the possession of states acting 
separately anci sevemlh'; and of a federal goverrj- 
ment repre -renting the nation as a whole: the 
first, to prevent the centralization that destRrved 
the republic of Rom ; and the latter to prevent 
the anarchivthat destroyed the republics of Greece. 



234 LOUISLANAIS 

To me then it does not seem so unreasonable 
to suppose that our inventive and progressive 
p^^ople^ applying their ingenuity to the science 
of government, will finally succeed in solving 
that vexed p^ -blem, if they haven't already done 
so; and as an incident of that great work, that 
they will ultimately abolish war and strife and es_ 
tablish the reii^^n of universal and perpetual 
peace; an J that they will do so, possibly, through 
the instrumentality of a world-wide Republic of 
Love, thai in it's beauty and eiScacy, will far ex- 
ceed the visions of the Fi.therSage It is one of 
the teaciiiiigs of the modern ag:^, and of American 
genius, that notiiing is too wonderful for accom- 
plishment. But do current events justify sucli 
views? in ]ny opinion they do. Recent events 
have more fully than ever disclosed the wondrous 
figure Oi our destiny, as the most impressive 
spectacle of the future world. It can now be 
pretty clearly foreseen and p^-etty safely foretold 
that the future republic will be co-extensive with 
i:'s continent from north to south as well as 
from e:'.st to west, since its northern boundary 
has touched the Arctic Ocean, while its S(Aithern 
limit seems blocked out along the line of Cuba 
paid the Panama Canal. It can also be safely said» 
since it is al ready an accom plished fact, that it 



LOUISIANAIS 235 

will cominate and control the East and West In- 
dies, the floral chains of tropic isles, that sertinel 
the new world's central coast, and passing east 
and west mark oul a pathway from the orient to 
the Occident with a succession of fairy-lands. 

Nor is this all. It is not improbable that in 
the course of time it will consolidate into one im- 
mense liousehold, it's family of l-rgitimate descen- 
dants, and its natural though sunburnt children 
to the south of us. Not improbable that all the 
sister states of the new world will join hands in 
a more or less compact bond cf union, and that 
each anr] ever}^ American state will yet become 
part and parcel of a world-v/ide domain. This 
may be practical when then' civilization equals 
ours. 

The coming Republic may inclnde the v/estern 
world, and the starr\' banner may yet wave over 
a host of free states, cmbrac ing a population 
greater than that of the habitable globe at the 
present time. This ma^- seem visionar}' but at 
our present rate of increase, our own population 
will equal the present population of the earth in 
two hundred years; and if, with our institutions, 
the secret of our pro^'ress be p'ivcn to the other 
Amcric-m states that D:2riod micht arrive al- 
most in the course of anotlier centur\' I agree 
v.-ith Alfred TenUiVson, that it vrould be worth 



23,6 ■ LOUISLANAIS 

the while; if we could,, to revisit earth at the end 
of another hundred years, in order to witness: 
"The vast republics that may grow, 
The federations and the powers, 
Titanic forces taking birth. 
In divers seasons, divers climes; 
For we are ancients of the earth 
And ir. the morning of the times. 
If such a view would be interesting ai the ercd 
of a single centur\ , vrhat would it be at the end 
of a tliousand years, when a rejuvinated earth 
and a glorified humanity will be such as are sug- 
gested by the chiliast with his minennial dreams-. 
How far then beyond our present conception v/ill 
be the beauty and glory of the Louisianian vale; 
(hen, as now,, the G irden of ihe World. This. 
Great Republic of ours ma}- be the predestined, 
theatre of events and changes,, whose importance 
we cannoty as yet, appreciate nor even conceive 
of The vast events that will here transpire 
will be as far above the trite happenings of by- 
gone history, as our changed cor.ditions and r.ew 
civilization are superior to the sen, i-larbarism of 
the past. But whatever be the nature of the 
changes that are to come, or the conditions that 
sliall here prev.iil, ev^eii if 't should b^ that con- 
summation of our hope, and vvhicli the poels ha\e 
pictured as the ^M'ospeclive Golden Age, even if 



LOUISIANAIS 237 

that state should prevail, if an}- government be 
then reqinred, I would fain predict it will bear 
some resemblance at least, to that beautiful 
confederacy cf co-ordinate sister states suggest- 
ed by our revolution ar}- sires. 

We may not : ealize what will be the final out- 
come of this age of progress; what ma}/ be the 
goal and grand finale of our moHern enlightm-rnt. 
We may not realize the fact that the 19th centu- 
ry lias been more fruitful in benefits and bless- 
ings to our race, and in all the active factors of 
human progress, than all preceeding ages com- 
bined; in other words that mankind have made 
greater progress in the hist hundred years than 
th^}/ did throughout the whole of their previous 
histor}'. But in view of this most significant 
and startling fact, it is a very dnll mind indeed, 
that does not realize that another century of 
equal progress and even a much li-ss period L.f 
time, ma}' witness the solution of the problem of 
human government and the beginning of a golceli 
age of prosperity and peace; and in that great 
work, that the wonder-working nation that has 
brought about this era. of progress will be perhaps 
the most conspicuous factor. 

At a.ny rate, aifter sucli a variet}- of cxperier.ces, 
and th( la.pse oi a century and a quarter of time, 
we liave reason to belcive that tliere is a stroriQ-er 



2^8 LOUISIANAIS 

liaucl tlian the hand of man at the rudder of our 
ship of state; that there is a mig-htier power than 
any human ag-ency presiding^ over the gov- 
ernmental affairs, over the foil unes and desiiny 
of this great repubh'c. The fact that it did not 
fall in i860 is, to mc, suiHcient evidence that it 
was not intended to fall in our day and tiuiC-; 
tliat it^s mission has not bei'n accomplished; that 
it^s mission is a divine one, and it's ^oal probably 
biyand our mortal ken. Under the supervising- 
eye ol a Divine Providence it seems to be work- 
ing out its own high destiny, and in that destiny 
is involved the political fate of all mankind. 
"Sail on, tlien; O Shipof Statel 
Sail on^ O Union, strong and greati 
Humanity witli all its fears, 
Witli all the hope^^ of f iiiure years. 
Is hanging- breathless on thy fate." 
It ma\ seem a very extravagant idea, ■s.nci yet 
be hardly too much to hope for, that tin's profound 
system of government^ with proper attendant 
conditions, will stand the lest of urilimited ex- 
pansion, if 1-bat be necessary to accomplish its 
ends; that it will verify the opinion of Cicero as 
to a republic of ccjual rigdits and stand forever; 
and, in the end, that it will prove not unaccepta- 
ble to man in his highest state, arid to earth in 
her final and Golden ap-Q. 



LOUISIANAIS 239 



EPODE. 



The Skin-Clad Knight: 
Or, The Angel of Liberty and the Garden of the 
World. 

Ah! blesstd v'.sion! blood o^ God! 

My sfirlt heats her mortal bars, 
As down dark tides the glory slides. 

And, star=like, mingles zvilh tlie stars. 

'I ennyson. 

As a fit epode to our wild-wood tales, 

rd tell how another, not a steel-clad knight, 

Paid his devoirs to fair Louisiane: 

Yet, should I indulge in metaphor again, 

I'd speak not now of the Indian maid, so-called, 

Not of the Love of our first Louisi^.nais, 

But of thr offspring, held of French descent, 

That, ever-existing, ever calls him sire. 

Aye, as it seems in order, as to time, 

With deeds depictod in the Iq^es just told, 

And scare:" 'in conflict with onr afterpiece, 

I'd briefly tell how that affaire-du-coeur, 



240 LOUISIANAIS 

If sucli it may be called, transformed the life 

Of fair Louisiane, and somewhat chang'ed, 

But stilled not, even her tongue. As just affirmed, 

That suitor was no steel-clad paladin: 

In lieu of helm a furry cap he wore; 

A hunting-shirt instead of glittering mail; 

And leathern leggings were the russet greaves 

Of one who ne'er in knighth^ orders ranked, 

Nor knew of courts or kings. . 'Mid clouds of morn, 

On the apex of the Appalachian heights, 

Our rustic paladin in wonder .-stood, 

And thence surveyed the wild-mess beyond. 

Before him spread the mighty vale of vales, 

To him, as yet, a wonderland indeed; 

To his eagle eye it lay unlimited. 

On either hand it's mountain bulwarks stretched, 

And from his feet broad rivers westward flowed 

Athwart it's waste, and to his wondering thought, 

Brought visions of it's green immensity. 

Joyous he viewed a boundless wilderness: 

Joyous beheld a silent sea of green. 

That laved bis feet and o'er the horizon's verge, 

Rolled limitless and infinite well-nigh. 

Delighted quite he viev/ed a forest world 

Where 'neath the shade the skin-clad hunter still, 

With Nimrod's arms, his savage prey pursued. 

Even from his boyhood in the smiling vale 



LOUISIANAIS 241 



On the east side of the wall-like Cumberland, 
He looked with awe upon that mountain sheer; 
The bulwark, seemingly, of mystic realms, 
Unknown to huntsmen, even, of his race. 
That mystic realm, even then, he- longed to see: 
And now, in looking on that verdant waste, 
Rejoiced to find a cherished dream fulfilled. 
A rustic knight was he; yet, as I ween, 
With the quaint weapon of flint lock, whereon 
He looked with pride and leaned full non-chalant^ 
Did he, as with the lightning's gleam, dispatch. 
And that unerringly, his sylvan foe: 
And held as sport the encountei with the bear, 
Or savage conger in his darksome dell. 
Even as a daring boy, skin-clad as now, 
He used that weapon, and with deadl}^ effect: 
With it, even then, he met and boldly slew 
The dreaded panthtr as with wailing cries. 
It chased his fellows at their forest home. 
Even then, enamored of such daring deeds. 
And of the wilderness, he wandered forth, 
And in a rustic bo-'th, when nut engaged 
In stalking game, of small or savage kind, 
He lingered, and for many moons, alone. 
'Gainst that fell ive-^pon in such skillful hands. 
The sword anc battle-axe had scarce availed, 



242 LOUISIANAIS 

Ncr any knio^lit of story panoplied 

In woven or in laminated steel. 

Such was the skin-clad paladin; and yet, 

Possessor of a home and loved ones there, 

Was he, at heart, rather than errant knight, 

A tiller of the soil, and ever sought, 

Though amid the forests of the mighty west; 

Some smiling oasis, some prairie green. 

Wherein from care remote, to uprear a home. 

Albeit logbuilt; and in it's purlieus wild, 

To plant fair flowers, and without thought of 

strife, 
To toil, sun-browned, in weighing fields of grain. 
Behold, in primal state and Adam-like, 
Yet fetterless and free, the laborer; 
The Gardener ordained by Heaven's decree, 
To dre-^s the famed world-garden of our song. 
Unknown to him the height whereon he stood. 
Exalted 'mong the clouds, was hallowed ground. 
There, as I ween, the angel of the Lord, 
The Warden of the Garden of the World, 
Was wont to pause in his aerial flights, 
About the realm committed to his care. 
There, oftentimes, far from the courts of light, 
That radiant sentinel kept watch and ward. 
There oftentimes, 'mid S3^1van solitudes, 
From the e)c of man remote, he assumed, I ween, 



LOUISIANAIS 245 

His native guise, and in effulgent light, 
Far-glittering, stood a shining one revealed: 
Fven such a one as 'neath the whispering oaks 
or ancient Ophrah appeared to Jerub-Baal, 
And with whose aid the rural warrior quelled 
The hosts of Midian with his hundred blades. 
Hard by the hunter, on his blasted tree, 
A great bald eagle sat. Tlie bird of Jove, 
To man and hi-^ fell deeds a stranger still, 
Observed the intruder with a fearless eye. 
And in defiance or in welcome, raised. 
At his approach, a harsh resounding cry. 
As signalled by that cry, an anchorite, • 
y.rnied with a staff, with flowing locks of snow, 
Appeared and toward the skin-clad form approac h. 

ed. 
'^vVeldome, my son," said he, "thou lookest on 
The fair?st reabn of earth: and with this glass, 
May'st thou with clearer ken it's beauties trace." 
The hunter through the seeming toy but glanced, 
And back recoiling with astor.ished mien: 
^^. saw, "said he' or haply seemed lo see. 
The dark and !)loody grouLd outspread, as 'tvv^ere. 
Though of forbidding name, it seems indeed, 
An earthly paradise in leaf ahd flovvxr; 
With it's Kaintuckee, throughout all it's course, 
R.ef lectin 0- Heaven from it's, azure depths. 



244 LOUISIANAIS 

Then turning to the anchonte he inquired, 

i\nd with deep wonder, whence and who was he. 

With dignity and with a kiiidl}^ smile 

He aiswered: As a friend of liberty, 

Long exiled from the insensate older world, 

Where I adjudged, and righteously, to death, 

Some of it's so-called kings; I linger here 

To assist the skin-clad freeman, such as thou, 

Regain man's heritage, and b> his sidt, 

To labor in this Garden of the World. 

He said, and toward the vallc}^ waved his hand 

That held the magic glass, and, as by chance, 

The huifter saw again with broader view. 

The reflex of the Garden of the Earth, 

The world-wide vision of the Vale of vales. 

The anchorite continued* *'Know, ni}^ son. 

That Providence hath opened the New World, 

And placed in primitive condition, here, 

The chosen spirits of the earth, and here.. 

Remote from Europe and her evil modes. 

Here from her despots and her bigots free, 

Although skin-clad, must man at leugth regain 

His inborn rights and native liberty. 

Our hero then, a freeman bred and born, 

With pious fervor in such sentiments. 

So like the shibboleth oi his confieres. 

Concurred with emphasis; whereiit the sage 



LOUISIANAIS - 245 

With pleasure smiled. Needless to say 
As to a father's voice our paladin 
Now listened to the stranger; or detail 
How thence together on high deeds intent, 
They journeyed forth into the realm of shade. 
On their departure, as in friendliness, 
The king of birds approached and joutneyed nigh 
The sage, and finally, at his behest, 
Stretched his broad wings and through the man- 
tling cloud, 
Flew boldly o'er the datk ^.rd blccdy grciird. 
As with fierce eye and harsh imperious cry, 
He sailed aloft, he seemed a herald fit 
Of Freedom's advent in the vale of vales. 
Meantime, like fair Andromeda of old, 
Lcuisiane lay languishing in chains; 
O'er-awid by an ogre called the catholic king; 
Who held her csptive and enfettered, not 
Because ofprcfit to his treasuiy 
Frcm her inpoverished, rustic settlements; 
But, says the historian, lu the ground, forsooth, 
Th^'t if released, her \ast pic ;-periiy,' 
P^ven then foreshadowed, would by contrast shame 
His Mexique prcvinces, abject and pror.e. 
A.ye, for snch reas'-ns truly, to prevent 
Her destined happiness and liberty. 
And not even for vaiugloiy, gold, or gain, 



246 LOUISIANAIS 

Tlie afflicted province, lihe a shuttle-cock, 

Played ^twixt tlios^ powers of sacreligious name, 

The so-called catholic and christian kings. 

Our quondam hero and her honored sire, 

A gray-haired patrirrch theu, with grief beheld 

Her misery from his home across the sea, 

The object lowly of barter and of sale. 

Our pat-i^r-patriae, grown gray with years, 

Strove Against DeChoiseuk the evil minister ^ 

In Louisiana's cause, as he then deemed, 

In that he strove to uphold the ileur-de-lis 

Upon her shore. Failing at length in this, 

The aged hero, on reflection, saw 

The interests of that state and that vile king^ 

Diverse in nattire, could not be the same; 

And knowing well the western wilderness, 

And it^ inhabitants; knowing besides. 

The severanct of the English colonies 

P'rom Brit.'-ain's driveling king ev^n then ap 

proaclied: 
Pie, haply for the first time, clearly kenned 
The fate cf Louisiane. With interest then, 
He niquired ihe progress of the foresters, 
Skin-clad, that from the Atlantic littoral, 
Spread westward toawrd the valley of his love. 
Spake of them as true-born Americans, 
That disregarded, even then, the powers, 



LOUISIANAIS 247 

And scorned the names of kings. Then, as it were, 

Prognostic grown with wisdom and with 3^ears, 

He showed the destined rise cf that great power 

Which now o'er-shadows all the Americas; 

And proudly picturecf the great vale of vales 

Included in the destined state of states. 

The accomplishment of that prophetic dream, 

A labor mightier than the several toils 

Of Hercules combined; such, in good sooth, 

Such was the destined task, bravely sustained, 

By him I'd honor as the skin-clad knight. 

His country's freedom was his end and aim. 

The Holy Grail for which his toils were borne. 

Fit mead of perfect knighthood; nobler far 

Than any ancient book of hymns or prayers. 

And while our hero on that quest wxnt forth, 

To him a voice as that to Galahad, 

The apprrovuig voice of all the wise and good, 

Exclaimed: "J, just and faithful knight of God! 

Ridt on!" it said, 'rice on, ihe prize is near." 

On h:ni approvingly a Washington, 

Fron the eastern littoral looked, and Jeffenon, 

As proto-consul of tne sister state.-^, 

A helping hand supplied; and evermore 

The angelic mentor c>f our palrdin 

Imbued, I ween, vvtih wisdom more than man's 

His mind uncultured, and as need required, 



248 LOUISIANAIS 

O'er liiin extended :i protecting wing. 
The Angel of Liberty! \Vere it false to sa3^ 
in olden linie, ^t God's command, he moved 
'Mong the x\ryan leaders of the hnnian race? 
Were it false to say, npon the shores of Greece 
Ke tanght man wisdom, and from mstic states 
Essayed to establish the first commonweal? 
'\nd when at times he observed the beauteons 

plan 
Unfold, and saw man, nnopprest and free, 
Develop in th? likeness of his God, 
He smiled well-pleased and radiant glowed? 
^Twere but the truth, I ween. But when, at last, 
Uncultured tribes, albeit attempting, failed 
To accomplish God's design, and, sid to say, 
The first republics all in ruins Fell' 
I weet the angel wept. Essaying next 
The conquerin x Ro u:in and ih ^ Latian states, 
He scorned, and with a Till* v's eloquc nee, 
Declaimed a^^-amst the fals2 pitrician's pride; 
And when at length that primal .state of states, 
Avoicling th.; ChiryoJis of the Greek, 
The anarchy of many warring states, 
Was liuned upon the Seylla of her doom, 
A:irl hieath a Nero's throne, she arid the world 
Were sLilled to lifelessne'ss; the auL^el looked 
With learlul gaze upon a suffering race 



LOUISIANAIS 249 

Deprived of hope and happiness again. 

Once more essa^ying the great work assigned, 

Of raising prostrate man, of placing him 

Erect, as 'twere, with faculties at play, 

Of driving from his sky the clouds of gloom, 

And casting beams of heaven's light upon 

The unfolding flower of the sentient mind; 

He came again, came with the brightening dawn 

Of earth's recurrent da}-, and gladly turned 

To fair Florentia and her sister states. 

Still with success imperfect, once again. 

He saw with indignation, saw the bower 

Of Libert}^ uprooted by the swine 

Of bigotry and tyranny combined. 

Thereafter, as I we?n, across the sea 

He winged his flight, where as a bulwark huge, 

The waste^ of ocean guard the Nsw World's 

shore. 
Observing there our matchless garden, though 
I ntilled as yet, and wildly over-grown. 
The fittest seat of empire, and, mayhap. 
The destined basis of the state of states: 
He awaited there the dawn of brighter days. 
He thence debarred the enemies of man, 
The despot and the bii^'c t, 1:11 at length 
The expected era can^e: and wlien upon 
The borders of that vale the freeman stood, 



250 LOUISIANAIS 

.He welcomed him and led him gladly down 
It^s fairest rivers to it's shady depths. 
On the Kaintuckee, in the wildest west, 
Midway the dark and bloody ground, so-called, 
Was raised at length a block-house, a stockade; 
And there, without delay, our paladin 
Replaced his household and rebuilt his honre. 
There dwelt in endless shade. His fellows came, 
Rough-vestured; yet, like him, of manl}^ mould; 
And thus the far-fetched village grew apace. 
Anon came evil days: the savage rose, 
And war-whoops through the forest- vistas rang. 
The ^age, that so mysteriously appeared, 
In equal mystery withdrew. In truth, 
Events of dread import had calkd him thence. 
The time had come when freemen numen^us 

grown. 
Were struggling for man's rights on the eastern 

shore, 
And 'neath a W<ishiugton, with dauntless breasts, 
Confronted the oppressor of their fields. 
The 5:age then, for a time at least, forsook, 
And seemingly forgot his former care. 
On tlie eastern shore, in council and in camp, 
He aided Freedom's cause: from the older world 
Brought LaFayette, Pulaski, brought De Kalb, 
And Kosciusko, chosen spirits all. 



LOUISIANAIS 251 

To aid the cause of heaven and oi nian. 

At length the struggle's crucial era came. 

At length he opposed, opposed successfully. 

The christian, and at last the catholic king, 

Against the tenant of the British throne, 

And while fierce despots raged in mutual strife 

Truth rose again and Freedom's field was won. 

Returning to his charge aglow with hope, 

The angelic mentor filled the forester 

With his exuberant soul; gave him a heart 

Aspiring and unyielding, and withal. 

With ardent love of liberty imbued. 

Such the grave Mentor of our paladin. 

As when of old the favorite of the god? 

'Gainst the Gorgonian monster was dispatched, 

The powers above endowed him with their arms; 

And he, with Mercury's talaria winged, 

And god-given blade and buckler armed, sped forth 

Invisible 'neath Pluto's shadowing helm: 

So, when our paladin, skin-clad, was led, 

/ s by the spirit into the wilderness, 

To o'er come the savage and wild nature, and. 

In farthest shades to erect the first of states; 

The gods imbued hiui, heaven favored too, 

With more than mortal :iims. With aid divine, 

With aegis and with h^rpe, heaven best-wed, 

He o'er-came the dread Medusa of the wild, 



252 LOUISIANAIS 

The savage of Gorgdnian mien. At last, 

Armed with good gold, as well as glittering brand, 

He loosed the chained Andromeda that here 

Was represented b}' a Louisiane, 

Dowered with her forest kingdom, wild and wide. 

Onr rustic knight thus rescued Louisiane, 

Then languishing beneath a distant king. 

Through hiui, fit instrument, at length was reared 

Tiie fraiiie-work of a temple heaven designed. 

And with his strength and spirit was imbued 

The young yet mighty nation of the free. 

In his loit^" watc hes in the wilderness, 

Ou^' guardian-angel assoi-ted wood and plain, 

And nearer made the forest, yet unoped, 

Be3'ond 1 he inviting field predominant; 

And when" at length the clay of Freedom dawned, 

An-d?'thsf'great valley; simultaneously. 

Was- oped, and to awaiting world displayed; 

Tht miglitiest hegira known to earth, 

•As- prearranged, began: and then 'twas found, 

As westward passed the hastening emigrant, 

The farthest ever were the fairest fields. 

And so the might}'^ vale with millions filled. 

In an incredibly brief space; so too, 

As piearranged likewise, the nation sprang, 

As in a day, to greatness and to power. 

Thiis, ere the jarring kings forgot their rage, 

.•\nd mutual slrife, tlie nation of the free 

Ar.'jx, as b}' cuclianimoni, and in strength 



LOUISIANAIS 2^-; 

O'er-topped the mightiest of their boastful powers. 
Our peu, unequal to the task assigned, 
May fail to fitly paint the work sublime 
Of onr brave forester and of that one, 
Who, as his mentor, aided bim always, 
And on him threw supernal light and power; 
Invisible, yet not the less sublime. 
To lightly paint the Garden of the World, 
Improved, we assume, by an angel's hand; 
Might well an aagePs an, or pen emplov. 
From the bold towers of the expo-sition planned 
To memorate the purchase of our v^le 
We observe, to-day, a scene of fairyland. 
There, some few seasons gone , we saw out-stretch'd 
-V tangled labyrinth of darksome woods, 
A shadowy wilderness; there now, behold!" 
'Mid leaping fountains and white statuary set, 
Are glorious palaces with cloud-capped towers; 
Like dreams in stone, yet of C3xlopean- size. 
Wherein, 'mid colonnades and stately peristyles, 
'Mid doni-s and spires clou 1-piercing, are beheld 
Tiir- u'Uions of the eartli and all their lore. 
Beneath their many-colored flags, enshrined. 
Even such the work, so swift and magical, ' 
Yet mightier by a thousand fold, the task 
Wherebj^ a world of shadehath been transformed. 
As with a mystic wane , and in brief time, 
hito the world-wide gaidcn'of ( iir pride; 



254 LOUISIANAIS 

That now, fruit-laden and flower-seen te(^ spreads 

Athwart the broadest val2 of earth, and links 

It's tropic to it's h3^perb.>rean shore. 

'Twere far beyond my power to paint or sing 

Each of it's thousand rivers, amber-hued, 

Enchased throughout it's course with floral bow'rs, 

And fields immantled all with green or gold. 

To rightly paint the Southland's famed CotAj-DO'r 

Would call for nobler art; to limn it's seas 

Jf Waving cane, it's orange groves, or pjint 

A slumberous Teche in sacchariferous fields 

Adream alway; or tven the rice-fields fair, 

Lac D' Arthur and it's murmuring IMermentau. 

Of equal beamy miny another stream 

In neighbor ng i^tates agleam upon each hand, 

And broid'ring with green fields thai sunlit sliore. 

As fair well-nigh, those of th^ zone succeeding 

where. 
Beside the Father Stream, in sunlight roll 
A Yazoo, a Sunflower, a Sabloniere, 
Cilm Alabamas, sacred Trinities, 
Bro.id Tennesees and mighty Arkansas', 
Meandering through sweet-scented cotton-fields, 
That change 'neath autumn's sun, to stainless 

plains 
Of mimic snow. But more stupendous still, 
IMust prove the task to sing the varied charms 



LOUISIANAIS 



0:5 



Of the great garden's central realm sublime, 
Where in azu^x calm the river beautiful, 
Where Illinois, draining inland .c:eas, 
Where Mississippi and Missouri huge, 
With affluents many a score, 'neath summei's 

sun. 
Forever flow through matchless, endless fields 
Of weighing grain and fair, gold-tasselled maize. 
Such the world-garden of our song and pride; 
Such and so beautiful it's vernal fields. 
Embroidered all with rose-plats and thick-set 
With happy homes. A thousand cities gbam, 
And shrines and seats of learning stud the scene, 
And palaces of varied industries, 
Of art and agriculture nestle there. 
Unmarked well-nigh in it's immensity. 
A thousand water-ways and tracks of steel, 
In labyrinthine mazes spread, convey 
It's people and their stores, in water.craft 
x\nd cars palatial, drawn by the dread power 
That loosed in nature, rends her quaking hills, 
Or that which fired the fabled boits of Jove. 
In thus concluding our storial song; 
In this last vision of our vale of vales; 
We observe the matchless garden as enclosed 
By the strong walls of the great state of states, 



2^6 LOUISIANAIS 

And by it's teeming millions dressed and tilled. 

Like the vast hall, like the inner conrt snblinie, 

Of one of those hypcethral palaces, 

Above-described, to that far-glit'ring pile; 

Like the great nave, high-arched, niajestical, 

Of some cathedral to it's edifice; 

The vale of vales nnto the state of states. 

'Twere then nnmeet to land it's varied charms, 

And fail to observe the eqnal majesty 

Of thai encircling, tliat o'er-shadowing fane; 

The temple of the Union. While we observe 

The e'er- flowing granary, and therewithal, 

The treasury of earth in that broad vale, 

In the great super-structure, heaven-ordained. 

That o'er it throws it's mightiest arcades, 

Are equal glories and sublimities; 

Albei-t these, like tnose cf our great vale. 

Are 3'ct too numerous to reproduce* 

Or picture in a simple epode's b ninds. 

'Twere endless qu: te to unfold the histor\' 

Of that great structure, or at length portray 

It's ancient prototypes. 'Twere endless too. 

To paint or sing each of the beauteous states-, 

Th.'it in fair ranks and series round us rist. 

And as majestic caryatides. 

Sustain the arches, the entablatures, 

Of iIkU enauini;)- fane, ''not ! nilt wllh iK.nds". 



LOUISIANA IS ?5: 

Sublime that structure, stern it's battlements 
O'er- looking on each band the ocean-*: hore: 
Divine it's holy of holies, mountain-walled, 
Wherein we stand this day: and gazing there. 
AVith reverence on bis works, ma}' we behold 
The autbor, under God, of man's best home. 
And of the matcbless garden of our song; 
The Mentor of the skin-clad knight; behold 
The Aiigel- of Liberty, the friend of man, 
The spirit high that raised up Washington; 
Thar taugrht Bienville in the wilderness; 
And him that penned our charter of equal rirlit^, 
And as a further blessing, bought witli gold 
The mighty remnant of Louisiane, 
And perfected the garden of our ^ong. 
Such, as I ween, the y\ngel of Liberty, 
Our country 's guardian sublime and high; 
One of the ilaming seraphim, with power 
To rule the waves and still the tempests; 3'et 
With countenance benignant filled with love 
To God and man: a Cato in dignit}^ 
And bke a Roman senator Mirobed; 
Yet, like the youthful Gracchi', i^ipliolding still 
The equal rights of man- and toward this sliore, 
Mayhap from parr. c^*^■ inn scenes, he turns, 
And treads oft-times the foreland of the west: 
.\nd there among companion spirits, 'inong 



258 LOUISIANAIS 

The deathless Gracchi cf the ages past, 
And those of recent days; he observes oft-times, 
Observes with pride the vale immensurable, 
The world-wide basin of it'? Father-Stream, 
The endles^i vista of it's sea-like lakes, 
And then, I ween, and with a wistful eye, 
Looks on it's counterparts, as vast, well-nigh, 
Yet unreclaimed from loneliness and snow, 
That trend in silence toward the icv seas. 



W 13 '$ 



h^ 







^^ *; 


















^^ "^T^.* .^^ 



I w • 






^>•V. 



M a 









4.°^^. 



°o 



"^ov* 






















.^"-^ 







